advance the plot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "advance the plot" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing storytelling, literature, or film, specifically referring to actions or events that move the narrative forward. Example: "The unexpected twist in the story helped to advance the plot and keep the audience engaged."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their songs illustrate, but don't advance, the plot.

The New Yorker

Only a few songs directly advance the plot.

The New York Times - Arts

Some scenes don't advance the plot but amuse nonetheless.

The Guardian - Books

Both come across as novelties to support dance numbers and advance the plot line: Broadway necessities.

The New York Times - Arts

Each time his voice breaks in to advance the plot, the movie grinds to a halt.

The New York Times

A NOVELIST must move his characters from place to place to advance the plot.

The New York Times

(The compact novel includes a few letters from supporting characters, used in part to advance the plot).

The New York Times - Books

But it was a creation of director (and legendary gourmand) Francis Ford Coppola, and does nothing to advance the plot.

The Guardian - Film

Like Scratch, Alice focuses the children's attention by giving them tiles with instructions that advance the plot of a story.

The New York Times - Tech

The steps required to advance the plot, though often devilishly perplexing, felt like natural behavior rather than arbitrary puzzle-solving.

The New York Times

Swerving and twisting in silence, they incorporated dramatic blackouts to advance the plot of two characters inexorably linked.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When analyzing a story, consider how each scene or character interaction contributes to "advance the plot". Identify which elements are crucial and which might be expendable without impacting the overall narrative.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on coincidences or unlikely events solely to "advance the plot". Ensure that character motivations and actions remain believable and consistent with the established world.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "advance the plot" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the action of moving a story forward through specific events, character interactions, or plot devices. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in analyzing how different elements contribute to narrative progression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

17%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Vice

2%

HuffPost

2%

Forbes

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "advance the plot" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, to describe the progression of a narrative. Its common usage spans various contexts, including news, media, and encyclopedic entries. Source analysis indicates strong presence in News & Media and Wiki articles. To enhance your writing, focus on how elements contribute to the plot and avoid relying on unbelievable coincidences. Consider alternatives like "move the story forward" or "develop the storyline" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

move the story forward

Focuses on the forward movement of the narrative, simplifying the original phrase.

develop the storyline

Emphasizes the development and evolution of the story's main thread.

progress the narrative

Highlights the gradual progression of the story's events and details.

further the action

Concentrates on the advancement of the story's action and events.

drive the story onward

Implies a forceful and continuous progression of the narrative.

propel the narrative

Suggests a dynamic and energetic advancement of the story.

unfold the events

Focuses on revealing and developing the story's events gradually.

evolve the tale

Highlights the transformation and growth of the story over time.

carry the story ahead

Simple phrase which means "move the story forward".

extend the narrative

Focuses on the action of expand the narrative by adding more scenes and information to it.

FAQs

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

You can use "advance the plot" to describe elements that move a story forward, such as: "The new character was introduced to "advance the plot"" or "This scene doesn't "advance the plot" at all".

What is another way to say "advance the plot"?

Alternatives to "advance the plot" include phrases like "move the story forward", "develop the storyline", or "progress the narrative".

Is it correct to say "advances the plot" instead of "advance the plot"?

Yes, "advances the plot" is correct when referring to a singular subject performing the action: "This plot twist "advances the plot" significantly."

What's the difference between "advance the plot" and "develop the characters"?

"Advance the plot" refers to moving the story forward, while "develop the characters" focuses on deepening the audience's understanding of the characters' personalities and motivations. They are distinct but interconnected elements of storytelling.