advance a solution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "advance a solution" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing the process of proposing or developing a solution to a problem. For example, "The team worked together to advance a solution to the ongoing issue." Alternative expressions include "propose a solution" and "put forward a solution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"They will not advance a solution one inch.

The New York Times

Any deal negotiated by Trump that does not advance a solution to this problem would seriously disappoint Tokyo.

The Guardian

"We can get this done and we can win this battle and that is why we here in the House are bringing our ideas to the table too, going through the committee process to meet with the Senate so that we can make sure that we actually advance a solution to this problem," Ryan said.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Neither Trump nor Democrats have advanced a solution for the border.

The Washington Post

The Post's View: Neither Trump nor Democrats have advanced a solution for the border.

The Washington Post

This paper aims at advancing a solution to this theoretical problem.

Cognitive Systems Research

The Chinese-North Korean relationship turned frosty in recent years, but China is seen as critical to advancing a solution, because it remains North Korea's largest source of energy and food.

The New York Times

The Resident-General to Morocco, M Lacoste, has just returned to Rabat from Paris to renew his attempt to get conversations going about political reform, in spite of the failure so far to make any advance towards a solution of the dynastic question.

The Guardian

Within a design thinking perspective, different solutions are created and tested in the attempts to advance towards a solution.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

"It is a process of peace with a clear design, with clear signals on the part of an E.L.N. that wants to advance a political solution".

The New York Times

Josh Earnest, the White House spokesperson, urged both to attend and said it was "so clearly in the interests of both countries to advance a political solution to the situation".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

This phrase is particularly effective in political or diplomatic writing to show that a proposal is moving toward implementation.

Common error

Do not use "advance a solution" when referring to solving a simple mathematical problem or providing a quick answer to a question. It is best reserved for complex, multi-faceted problems that require development or consensus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "advance a solution" functions as a transitive verb phrase. In this construction, "advance" is the verb signifying the promotion or progression of the direct object, "solution". According to Ludwig, it is often used in negative constructions to indicate a lack of progress, as seen in the phrase 'will not "advance a solution" one inch'.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "advance a solution" is a precise and high-level linguistic tool for describing the forward momentum of a resolution. Ludwig AI highlights its prevalence in reputable news outlets and scientific journals, confirming its status as a reliable choice for professional writing. While its usage is relatively rare compared to simpler verbs like "solve" or "propose", its specific nuance of 'promoting progress' makes it invaluable for contexts involving complex negotiations or long-term problem-solving. Whether you are writing a policy brief or a research summary, using this phrase demonstrates a sophisticated command of English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

propose a solution

Focuses on the initial presentation of an idea rather than the progression of one

put forward a solution

Suggests a more formal offering of a resolution for consideration

promote a solution

Emphasizes the advocacy and support for a specific path forward

facilitate a solution

Highlights the act of making the process of solving something easier

develop a solution

Implies the active creation or refinement of the resolution

expedite a solution

Specifically denotes increasing the speed at which a result is reached

negotiate a solution

Often used when multiple parties must agree on the final outcome

broker a solution

Suggests a third-party mediation to reach an agreement

advocate for a solution

Focuses on the verbal or public support given to a specific measure

craft a solution

Implies a more tailored or carefully constructed approach

FAQs

How do I use "advance a solution" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe moving a process forward, such as: "The diplomat's visit helped to <a href="/s/advance+a+solution" target="_blank" rel="alternative">advance a solution to the border dispute."

What is a more common way to say "advance a solution"?

Depending on your intent, you could use <a href="/s/propose+a+solution" target="_blank" rel="alternative">propose a solution if you are just starting, or <a href="/s/implement+a+solution" target="_blank" rel="alternative">implement a solution if you are finishing.

Is it "advance a solution" or "advancing to a solution"?

Both are correct but have different meanings. "advance a solution" means you are pushing a specific idea forward, while <a href="/s/advancing+to+a+solution" target="_blank" rel="alternative">advancing to a solution means you are moving closer to reaching any final result.

Is "advance a solution" formal enough for a research paper?

Yes, it is highly appropriate for academic writing. Ludwig shows many examples from sources like ScienceDirect and MIT where researchers use it to describe theoretical or practical progress.