advance something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "advance something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the act of doing something before the usual or expected time - such as doing something inside of a contractual agreement, or simply to make something happen sooner than originally planned. For example, "The team decided to advance their project deadline two weeks ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The warden said another inmate was fending off an unwanted sexual advance, something Mr. Khodorkovsky's press aides denied.

The New York Times

"They are divided between the need to advance something for the Americans and for Israeli public opinion, versus the lack of conviction that it will achieve anything".

The New York Times

Chen's lesson in entrepreneurship to pass along: "Be willing to look at obstacles from different angles, and then use that natural grad student's persistence and perspiration to advance something that you believe in".

Science Magazine

Keep in mind that no matter how well you prepare in advance, something will always inevitably come up that you didn't expect.

Huffington Post

@samwolfson.

Vice

If an employee is a driving force in addition, she has many advantages like being informed in advance, something which Sutton and Kahn [ 47] and others describe as predictability and understanding of the situation.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

James Fitzjames Stephen advanced something that looks very much like Berlin's pluralism (Stephen 1873), though he allied it to a conservative critique of Mill's liberalism.

SEP

After the years of constant rejection to my physical advances, something just switched in my mind and she stopped being seen as a sexual partner; she became a friend.

Huffington Post

If women are spending less time in the office, more time on household chores, and more time when in the office on activities that by their very nature may keep them from advancing, something must be done to offset these differences to help women leaders develop.

Huffington Post

When in doubt, ask a school official in advance if something is acceptable.

The New York Times

You could know in advance how something would move or act by knowing what it was.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "advance something", ensure that the object being advanced is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "advance a project" rather than simply "advance".

Common error

Avoid using "advance" without a clear object. Saying "We need to advance" is vague. Instead, specify what needs to be advanced, such as "We need to advance our research".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "advance something" functions primarily as a transitive verb phrase, where "advance" is the verb and "something" represents the direct object. It indicates the action of moving something forward or promoting its progress. Ludwig provides examples of how this phrase is used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Science & Research

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "advance something" is a grammatically correct and usable verb phrase that signifies the act of promoting or furthering a cause, idea, or project. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and suggests that it is used across different writing styles and contexts. Although not as prevalent as some other phrases, "advance something" finds its home primarily in News & Media, Science, and Science & Research contexts. To avoid vagueness and potential misuse, specifying the intended object of "advance" is crucial. Remember, strong writing involves not just being correct but also clear and effective in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

promote something

Focuses on advocacy and active support for the thing being advanced.

further something

Implies aiding the progress or development of the thing being advanced.

progress something

Highlights the forward movement and development of the thing being advanced.

develop something

Focuses on the gradual growth and improvement of the thing being advanced.

push something forward

Suggests active effort and determination in advancing the thing being advanced.

propel something

Implies a strong force driving the thing being advanced.

boost something

Focuses on enhancing and improving the thing being advanced.

cultivate something

Suggests nurturing and fostering the growth of the thing being advanced.

foster something

Emphasizes creating an environment conducive to the growth of the thing being advanced.

upgrade something

Focuses on improving something to a higher standard.

FAQs

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

You can use "advance something" to indicate promoting or furthering a cause, idea, or project. For instance, "The company aims to "advance sustainable practices" within the industry".

What are some alternatives to "advance something"?

Alternatives to "advance something" include "promote something", "further something", or "develop something", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "advance on something" instead of "advance something"?

While "advance on" can be used in different contexts (e.g., military advance), it's not typically interchangeable with "advance something". "Advance something" usually refers to progressing or promoting an idea or project, not a physical movement. For instance, military would "advance on the enemy".

What's the difference between "advance something" and "advanced something"?

"Advance something" is a verb phrase that means to promote or further something. "Advanced something" is a past participle or adjective. For example, you might "advance a proposal", resulting in an "advanced design".