advance towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "advance towards" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action when someone moves closer to a destination, or takes an action towards a goal. For example: "The troops advanced towards the enemy camp."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A win for Smith would be a significant advance towards a WBC belt.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He had made an inappropriate advance towards me at a party conference.

The Guardian - Opinion

German strongpoints in the mountains around Cassino were imperilling the allied advance towards Rome.

The Guardian

But how will we know if we advance towards achieving these targets?

The Guardian

Forces are now attempting to advance towards the centre of Tikrit.

Independent

It doesn't apply if a man makes a non-violent sexual advance towards a woman or if a woman makes a non-violent sexual advance towards a man or a woman.

The Guardian

6 November British forces advance towards the Suez Canal, but the operation suddenly collapses because of American economic pressure.

The Guardian

There is a deep desire for radical solutions to allow the resumption of India's advance towards prosperity and stability.

The Guardian

He spent some years with an anti-aircraft unit at Leningrad and in the advance towards Moscow.

Independent

For many, the country's advance towards Mr Mandela's vision of a "rainbow nation" has slowed to a crawl.

The Economist

Isis militants have overtaken towns across northern Iraq in a lightning-speed advance towards the capital of Baghdad.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "advance towards" to clearly indicate movement or progress in a specific direction, whether physical or metaphorical. This emphasizes the directionality of the action.

Common error

Avoid using "advance towards" when a simpler verb like "approach" or "move" suffices. Overusing prepositional phrases can make your writing sound clunky. Instead of writing "the army advanced towards the city", consider "the army approached the city".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "advance towards" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating movement or progression in a specific direction. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this usage is common across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "advance towards" is a versatile and frequently used prepositional phrase indicating movement or progress in a specific direction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate in various contexts, predominantly in news, scientific, and wiki-based content. While alternatives like "move toward" or "progress toward" exist, understanding the nuances of "advance towards" ensures precise and effective communication. Remember to avoid redundancy and consider whether a simpler verb might suffice for clearer writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

move toward

Indicates a similar sense of physical or abstract movement in a specific direction.

progress toward

Emphasizes the gradual improvement or development in the direction of a goal.

head in the direction of

Suggests a change of direction with a clear intention.

make progress toward

Highlights the action of creating forward momentum in relation to an objective.

work toward

Focuses on the effort and labor involved in moving closer to a desired outcome.

strive toward

Implies a dedicated and focused effort to reach a specific aim.

push toward

Suggests overcoming obstacles or resistance while moving in a particular direction.

gravitate toward

Describes a natural tendency or attraction to move closer to something.

develop toward

Focuses on the growth and evolution leading to a particular result.

orient toward

Implies adjusting or aligning oneself in relation to a specific purpose or direction.

FAQs

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

You can use "advance towards" to describe physical movement, as in "The troops advanced towards the enemy line", or to describe progress toward a goal, as in "The company advanced towards its sustainability goals".

What are some alternatives to "advance towards"?

Alternatives include "move toward", "progress toward", or simply "approach", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "advance toward" and "advance towards"?

While both are grammatically correct, "advance towards" is more common in British English, while "advance toward" is more common in American English. The meaning remains the same.

When is it better to use "move toward" instead of "advance towards"?

Use "move toward" when you want to emphasize the act of moving without necessarily implying significant progress. "Advance towards" often implies a deliberate effort or strategic progress.