a sizeable advance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sizeable advance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a significant progress or improvement in a particular area, such as technology, research, or financial matters. Example: "The company reported a sizeable advance in their research, leading to groundbreaking discoveries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In 2005, before that process was fully under way, he had been given a sizeable advance to produce a full-scale biography of Mike Tyson, on whose rise and fall he had reported during his years as a sportswriter for the Sunday Correspondent and the Independent on Sunday.

The Guardian - Books

They countered by offering a sizeable advance for a book.

Huffington Post

After the contract signing, EMI forwarded her a sizeable advance which she used to enroll in interpretive dance classes taught by Lindsay Kemp, a former teacher of David Bowie, and mime training with Adam Darius.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A musician friend who recommended this book pointed out that his band signed to a major in 1998 for more money than most do in 2008 (and were dropped after one album - probably for not recouping their sizeable advance).

The Guardian - Music

Madonna fans keen to secure a seat at the singer's increasingly rare live performances can expect to book months in advance and part with a sizeable chunk of cash for the privilege of an hour or two in the same room (well, stadium) as the Queen of Pop.

Independent

It is no coincidence that effective currency unions tend to have centralised fiscal authorities whose spending is a sizeable share of GDP - averaging over a quarter of GDP for advanced countries outside the euro area".

BBC

A sizeable minority of The Economist's staff also speaks Russian and would like to claim Mr Putin's protection in advance of the next pay negotiations.There is, however a hitch.

The Economist

A sizeable sum.

The Guardian - Money

"That is a sizeable risk.

Independent

The country has a sizeable trade surplus.

The New York Times

And that would be a sizeable whack.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a sizeable advance", ensure the context clearly indicates what the advance is for (e.g., "a sizeable advance for a book", "a sizeable advance on a project").

Common error

Avoid using "a sizeable advance" when a smaller amount is actually intended. It implies a significant financial commitment, so ensure the adjective accurately reflects the sum.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sizeable advance" functions as a noun phrase, where "sizeable" modifies the noun "advance". As Ludwig AI points out, it refers to a significant prepayment, typically in a business or creative context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sizeable advance" is a noun phrase referring to a significant prepayment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for describing substantial initial payments, particularly in contexts related to book deals or project funding. While not very common, it's readily understood and carries a connotation of significant investment and expectation. The usage contexts range from news articles to encyclopedic entries, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal tone. Alternatives like "a considerable prepayment" or "a substantial initial payment" can be considered based on the specific nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable prepayment

Replaces "sizeable" with "considerable", emphasizing the substantial amount of money.

a substantial initial payment

Uses "substantial" instead of "sizeable", and clarifies that it is an initial payment.

a significant pre-payment

Synonymous change using pre-payment

a significant upfront payment

Emphasizes the "upfront" nature of the payment, indicating it's paid early.

a generous advance payment

Highlights the favorable nature of the advance with the adjective "generous".

a notable initial sum

Replaces 'advance' with 'initial sum' maintaining the meaning.

a hefty initial investment

Focuses on the investment aspect, implying a large sum provided at the beginning.

a handsome initial installment

Highlights a sizable amount being paid right away.

a large payment beforehand

Simplifies the language, replacing "sizeable advance" with "large payment beforehand".

a big initial outlay

Change to "outlay" highlights first payment

FAQs

How can I use "a sizeable advance" in a sentence?

You can use "a sizeable advance" to describe a large prepayment, as in "The author received "a sizeable advance" for their upcoming book".

What's a good alternative to "a sizeable advance"?

Alternatives include "a considerable prepayment", "a substantial initial payment" or "a significant upfront payment" depending on the context.

Is "sizeable advance" formal or informal?

"Sizeable advance" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal and can be used in professional or news-related contexts.

What does "a sizeable advance" imply about the project?

It suggests that the project is significant and the payer has confidence in its potential success, justifying a large upfront investment. It often implies "a hefty initial investment".