advance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "advance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate progress, improvement, or moving forward in a situation or project. Example: "We need to advance our plans for the upcoming project to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It is not sensible to talk about this work publicly, in advance.

The Guardian - Business

Chief executives of companies such as Burberry, Tesco, Vodafone, BAE Systems, Prudential and GSK were keen to take a final opportunity to lobby the prime minister in advance of the meeting of political leaders in Northern Ireland.

The Guardian - Tech

Some may ask for rent in advance while others will require a lump sum of money to be returned providing the house is well kept Read it back-to-front and get your university's student advice service or student union to check it over.

The Guardian

ITV says this was the work of an "experienced editorial panel" and they will not be seen by the leaders in advance.

The Guardian

"I wasn't surprised about Ukip's advance.

The Guardian

It allows them to see evidence in advance of it being aired at the inquiry and to seek to cross-examine witnesses.

The Guardian

It's already booked months in advance with critics falling over themselves to dish out the plaudits.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"One country alone cannot call into question the desire of the others to continue to advance together".

The Guardian

(Mohamad Ajub, 22, a farmer from Ghazni province) "My house was confiscated by a Chechen jihadi after the advance of the Islamic State through Riqa".

The Guardian

To quote just one: "So here is a specific and valuable advance in knowledge that could only have been attained by experimentation on animals that closely resemble us; experiments which are, as far as we can tell, almost painless".

The Guardian

It's deservedly popular (Moorish and moreish), so book well in advance.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "advance" in business contexts, ensure clarity about whether you mean progress, payment, or a strategic move. For instance, specify "advance the project" or "receive an advance on salary" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Don't limit "advance" solely to its verbal form. Remember it also functions as a noun (an "advance" in technology) and an adjective (an "advance" payment), providing versatility in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The word "advance" functions primarily as a verb, indicating the act of moving forward or promoting something. It also serves as a noun, referring to progress or an initial payment. According to Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically correct and versatile.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Travel

5%

Sport

5%

Opinion

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "advance" is a versatile term widely used as a verb, noun, and adjective, denoting progress, movement forward, or prepayment. According to Ludwig AI, it’s grammatically sound and appropriate across various contexts. Its frequent appearance in news, business, and scientific domains underlines its adaptability. To ensure clarity, it’s crucial to specify the intended meaning—whether it's advancing a project, receiving an advance payment, or acknowledging technological advancements. Avoiding the limitation of viewing "advance" solely as a verb enhances its utility in diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make progress

Focuses on the act of improving or moving forward in a general sense.

move forward

Emphasizes the action of proceeding ahead, often in a project or plan.

make headway

Highlights making noticeable progress, especially against resistance.

gain ground

Suggests improving position or advantage, often in competitive situations.

further develop

Implies expanding and enhancing something already in existence.

promote

Focuses on advocating or supporting the growth or acceptance of something.

propel

Indicates a forceful movement forward, often with significant momentum.

accelerate

Stresses the speeding up of progress or development.

improve

Highlights the enhancement of quality or condition.

enhance

Emphasizes adding to or intensifying positive qualities.

FAQs

How can I use "advance" in a sentence?

The word "advance" can be used as a verb, noun, or adjective. Example: "We need to "advance" the project", "There was an "advance" in technology", "I need an "advance" payment".

What are some synonyms for the verb "advance"?

Alternatives to the verb "advance" include "progress", "move forward", or "promote", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "advance" as a noun?

Yes, "advance" can be used as a noun, referring to progress or a sum of money paid beforehand. For example: "The company made significant "advances" in research" or "He requested a cash "advance"".

What's the difference between "advance" and "advancement"?

"Advance" generally refers to moving forward or making progress, while "advancement" typically implies promotion or improvement in status or career. For example, you might "advance" a project, but seek "advancement" in your career.