advance to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "advance to be" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a progression towards a state or condition, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "We hope to advance to be leaders in our industry."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Collate relevant information in advance to be sure you include everything that is important.

Independent

The digital advance, to be sure, represents a challenge to many companies.

The New York Times

Register your problems in advance to be sure of getting the perfect prescription.

The Guardian - Books

Some customers call a year or two in advance to be assured he will be available.

The New York Times

Or should I write to [your agent] and ask for that first part of the advance to be returned?

The New Yorker

(Nintendo is said to be planning a wireless adapter for the Game Boy Advance to be released next year).

The New York Times - Tech

Now her husband scouts out any place they go in advance, to be sure it's free of fireplaces, and she passes up countless dinners and parties.

The New York Times

He also revealed that Ayoade had asked "in advance" to be interviewed by Guru-Murthy, "because he wanted to talk about my encounter with Tarantino".

Independent

Despite the first snowstorm of the season, students circled the perimeter of the campus special-events center for hours in advance to be admitted through the security barrier.

The New York Times

The problem first became manifest in New Hampshire, a state that much of the media declared in advance to be the end of the road for Clinton.

The New Yorker

Assembly of buses to evacuate an area should be part of disaster preparedness, so that bus owners know in advance to be prepared to be called in.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace "advance to be" with stronger verbs like "become", "evolve", or "progress towards" to avoid ambiguity. This enhances the readability and impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "advance to be" in overly complex sentence structures where simpler alternatives would improve clarity. Overusing this phrase can lead to convoluted and less effective communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "advance to be" primarily functions as part of an infinitive construction, indicating a progression or movement towards a future state. As noted by Ludwig AI, its usage can sometimes be grammatically awkward, suggesting that alternative phrasing might enhance clarity. For example, using stronger verbs can provide a more direct and precise meaning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "advance to be" is frequently encountered across diverse sources, Ludwig AI points out its grammatical awkwardness. Its primary function involves expressing a progression towards a future state, yet it often benefits from clearer alternatives like "evolve into" or "progress towards". The phrase's versatility allows it to appear in neutral and professional contexts, but mindful writers should prioritize clarity and precision. As such, considering alternative phrasing is advisable for more impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

progress towards becoming

Replaces "advance" with "progress" and restructures the infinitive phrase for enhanced clarity.

move towards being

Offers a less formal alternative, substituting "advance" with "move" to indicate a directional shift.

evolve into

Implies a gradual development, shifting the focus from intentional advancement to natural progression.

develop into

Suggests a more structured and planned growth, differing from the open-ended nature of "advance".

transition to

Emphasizes a change from one state to another, highlighting the transformative aspect.

grow to be

Focuses on gradual increase or maturation, subtly altering the connotation of deliberate action.

aspire to be

Introduces an element of ambition or aspiration, shifting the emphasis to a desired future state.

aim to become

Signifies a deliberate objective, highlighting the intention to achieve a specific status.

seek to be

Emphasizes the effort or pursuit involved in achieving a particular condition or role.

endeavor to become

Implies a committed and earnest effort to reach a specified state, adding a layer of dedication.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "advance to be"?

You can use alternatives like "progress towards becoming", "evolve into", or "develop into" depending on the intended meaning.

Is "advance to be" grammatically correct?

While frequently used, "advance to be" is often considered grammatically awkward. Ludwig AI suggests it's more precise to use alternatives like "move towards being" or rephrase the sentence for better clarity.

How can I improve the clarity of sentences using "advance to be"?

To enhance clarity, replace "advance to be" with more direct verbs such as "become", "grow to be", or restructure the sentence to eliminate the need for the phrase altogether.

In what contexts is "advance to be" most commonly used?

"Advance to be" appears across various contexts, including news media, scientific publications, and general writing. However, its prevalence doesn't necessarily indicate grammatical correctness, so consider alternative phrasing for more formal or academic writing.