advance the cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "advance the cause" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
It's typically used to mean to promote or contribute to the progress of something. For example, "He worked hard to advance the cause of social justice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But does it really advance the cause?

The Guardian - Film

Both have mobilised millions to advance the cause.

The Guardian

This artificial sun seems likely to advance the cause of nudism greatly.

The New Yorker

We hope Mr. Chaudhry opts to advance the cause of impartial justice, not political retribution.

The New York Times

In the meantime, CUNY will advance the cause of science in ways large and small.

The New York Times

He used his celebrity to advance the cause of American participation.

The New York Times - Sports

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has finally done something important to advance the cause of justice.

The New York Times

"Any suggestion that we were trying to advance the cause of Pets.com is absolutely ridiculous".

The New York Times

She and Yvette Cooper asked Corbyn to support a motion at conference to advance the cause.

The Guardian - Opinion

This would not advance the cause of further European integration one jot.

The Guardian - Opinion

The only reason the party existed was to advance the cause of white supremacy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "advance the cause" when you want to emphasize active promotion or contribution towards a specific goal or ideal.

Common error

Avoid using "advance the cause" when the action has no real impact or is purely symbolic. Ensure the action significantly contributes to the goal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "advance the cause" functions as a verb phrase where "advance" is the verb and "the cause" is the noun phrase acting as the direct object. The verb "advance" signifies to further or promote, indicating an action oriented towards progress.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "advance the cause" is a widely used and grammatically correct expression that means to promote or contribute to the progress of something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and the examples demonstrate its frequent usage across various domains such as news, business, and academia. While it can be used in both formal and informal contexts, it is most commonly found in neutral to professional settings. Consider using alternatives like "further the cause" or "promote the agenda" for slight nuances in meaning. Remember to ensure that the action genuinely contributes to the cause being advanced. Overall, it is a versatile and valuable phrase for expressing support and progress towards a specific goal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

further the cause

Emphasizes moving the cause forward.

promote the agenda

Focuses on promoting a specific plan or set of goals.

foster the progress

Focuses on nurturing and encouraging forward movement.

support the movement

Highlights providing assistance or backing to a collective effort.

propel the mission

Indicates driving or pushing the mission forward with force.

champion the effort

Suggests actively advocating for and defending the effort.

back the initiative

Highlights providing support and resources to the initiative.

boost the campaign

Implies giving energy or momentum to a specific organized action.

push the program

Suggests aggressively promoting a specific program or plan.

assist the endeavor

Emphasizes offering help and support to the endeavor.

FAQs

How can I use "advance the cause" in a sentence?

You can use "advance the cause" to describe actions that promote or support a particular goal or movement. For example: "Volunteering helps to advance the cause of environmental conservation."

What are some alternatives to "advance the cause"?

Alternatives include "further the cause", "promote the agenda", or "support the movement", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "advance the cause" and "support the cause"?

"Advance the cause" implies a more active role in promoting the cause, while "support the cause" can refer to providing resources or passively agreeing with it.

Can "advance the cause" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "advance the cause" is versatile and appropriate for both formal and informal settings, though it's more commonly seen in formal or neutral contexts like news or business.