前にいた

was in front of

→ 前
phrase Uncommon #19,416
was in front of 前に can mean “in front of” or “before,” depending on context.
JA: 彼は私の前にいた。
EN: He was in front of me.

前にいた

I was there before.

— プラットフォーム (2019)

椅子が一列に並び、私はいちばん前にいた。

The chairs were lined up in a row, and I was at the very front.