advance the dates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "advance the dates" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to moving scheduled dates to an earlier time. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we need to advance the dates of the project deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But a spate of other states moved to advance the dates of their contests.

The New York Times

I've said it many times how counterproductive it is for the United States to announce in advance the dates we intend to begin, or end, military options.

Vice

"I've said many times how counterproductive it is for the United States to announce in advance the dates we intend to begin or end military operations," Trump said, speaking from Fort Myer in Arlington, Virginia.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

That is precisely the kind of attention that California's governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, had in mind when he signed legislation to advance the date of his state's primary.

The New York Times

New Hampshire may move up its primary as a result — possibly even to this year — and in South Carolina, Republican officials said they, too, would advance the date of their primary.

The New York Times

In July 2011, as Spain's economy continued to flounder, Zapatero announced that he would advance the date of the next general election from March 2012 to November 2011.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"As soon as you advance the date of diagnosis with any screening test, you will improve the apparent survival," said Dr. Barnett Kramer, who is associate director for disease prevention at the National Institutes of Health.

The New York Times - Health

K.S.M. claims he did not inform Atta or the other conspirators that Bin Ladin wanted to advance the date because he knew they would move forward when they were ready.

The New York Times

Postwar investigators concluded that neither the atomic bombs nor the Soviet entry into the war was central to the decision to surrender, although they probably helped to advance the date.

Britannica

"There's a lot of disenchantment with this government, so if they advance the date of the elections it will release the pressure on them," said Mr. Masood, the retired general.

The New York Times

His tactics to calm the public, who have hit the streets in protests against scarcity and rampant crime, have seen him advance the date of the Christmas celebration in 2013, which many saw as an attempt to get him votes in the municipal elections on 8 December.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "advance the dates", ensure clarity about which specific dates are being moved and the new proposed dates. Provide context to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "advance the dates" without specifying the original and new dates. Ambiguity can arise if the timeframe is not clearly defined.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "advance the dates" functions as a verb phrase, where "advance" acts as a transitive verb taking "the dates" as its direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, indicating that it is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

12.5%

Less common in

Wiki

12.5%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "advance the dates" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to express the act of rescheduling events or deadlines to an earlier time. While Ludwig AI confirms it's usability, it's essential to provide context regarding the specific dates being changed to avoid ambiguity. It appears most frequently in news and encyclopedic sources. Alternative phrasing, such as "bring the dates forward", "move the dates earlier", or "reschedule to an earlier date", can be used depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bring the dates forward

This alternative uses "bring forward" instead of "advance", maintaining a similar meaning of moving dates to an earlier point in time.

move the dates earlier

This option replaces "advance" with "move earlier", emphasizing the shift towards an earlier timeframe.

reschedule to an earlier date

This phrase focuses on the act of rescheduling, specifying that the new date is earlier than the original.

bring the schedule forward

This option replaces dates with schedule in a general sense.

set an earlier date

This alternative highlights the action of establishing a new, earlier date.

expedite the timeline

This suggests accelerating the overall timeframe, which implies making the dates earlier.

accelerate the schedule

This option implies speeding up the schedule, which in turn advances all dates.

move up the dates

This alternative uses the phrasal verb "move up" to indicate bringing dates to an earlier position.

push forward the dates

This alternative utilizes "push forward" to mean moving the dates sooner.

make the dates sooner

This phrase simplifies the concept, focusing on making the dates happen sooner.

FAQs

What does "advance the dates" mean?

To "advance the dates" means to reschedule an event or deadline to an earlier time than originally planned. It indicates a shift toward an earlier timeframe.

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

You might say, "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we need to "bring the dates forward" for the project deadline."

What are some alternatives to "advance the dates"?

Alternatives include "move the dates earlier", "reschedule to an earlier date", or "bring the schedule forward", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "advance the dates" or "move the dates forward"?

Both "advance the dates" and "move the dates forward" are correct and usable. The choice often depends on personal preference and the specific context. "Advance" may sound slightly more formal.