advance up

USAGE SUMMARY

"advance up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to move forward or progress in a particular direction or towards a specific goal. Example: The team had to advance up the mountain in order to reach the summit. In this sentence, "advance up" is used to describe the team's movement towards the peak of the mountain.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This meant they were able to advance up the pitch to receive possession.

The Guardian - Sport

Anyone who turned to "Etiquette" to advance up the social hierarchy learned from Post's book that the key was conformity.

The New Yorker

We know that Bob is ambitious and that his plan is to advance up the company through consistent ingratiation.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Invoice finance is our core offering, whereby we advance up to 90% of the value of your unpaid sales invoices.

The Guardian

But you can make it all in advance, up to adding the lime juice and lobster meat.

The New York Times - Food

Ghana had 13 shots to Serbia's 10, but the Serbs conceded large swaths of ground in the midfield, allowing Ghana's outside players to advance up the field.

The New York Times - Sports

You can make the pudding and crumble entirely in advance (up to three days), though don't sprinkle the crumbs over the top until you're ready to serve.

The New York Times

Monsignor Curry also managed to advance up the hierarchical ladder and would seem to merit instant removal from his current post as auxiliary bishop for Santa Barbara.

The New York Times

Growing up in Manhattan actually makes it less likely that you will advance up the economic ladder — assuming you are not already at the top of it.

The New Yorker

I am never going to advance up the Halo 3 rankings, because in the political economy of Halo, I'm poor.

TechCrunch

NSF has requested $20 million in its 2001 budget for ADVANCE, up from the $12 million it will spend this year on POWRE.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "advance up" when describing movement in a literal, physical sense, such as soldiers advancing up a hill or a climber ascending a mountain. It provides a clear visual of upward progress.

Common error

Avoid using "advance up" when "advance" alone suffices. The "up" is redundant if the context already implies upward movement or progression. For instance, instead of "advance up the ranks", simply use "advance in the ranks."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "advance up" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating movement forward and typically upward. It is used to describe both literal, physical movement and metaphorical progression, as seen in Ludwig's examples of advancing up a hill or a career ladder. Ludwig AI confirms the expression is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

30%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "advance up" is a grammatically correct phrasal verb that means to move forward, typically in an upward direction. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It's commonly used in news, wiki, and scientific contexts to describe both physical movement and metaphorical progression. While versatile, avoid redundancy by using "advance" alone when the upward direction is already implied. Related phrases include "move forward" and "climb up". When in doubt, consider whether the "up" adds meaningful emphasis to the upward motion or progression being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

move forward

This alternative offers a more general description of progress, lacking the upward direction implied in the original phrase.

progress onward

While very similar, this alternative places a slightly greater emphasis on continuous progression.

ascend

Focuses specifically on the action of going up, eliminating the broader sense of advancement.

move ahead

This phrase suggests forward movement, but does not necessarily imply upward movement.

climb up

Specifically describes moving upwards by climbing, suitable when the context involves climbing.

make headway

Focuses on the progress being made, rather than the direction of the movement.

push forward

Implies effort and overcoming resistance in advancing, which is not always present in the original phrase.

gain ground

Emphasizes the acquisition of territory or advantage while moving forward.

proceed upwards

A more formal and somewhat redundant alternative that explicitly mentions both movement and direction.

develop further

Shifts the meaning to development or improvement, losing the physical sense of upward or forward movement.

FAQs

What does "advance up" mean?

"Advance up" means to move forward, typically in an upward direction or towards a higher position. It can describe physical movement or metaphorical progress.

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

You can use "advance up" to describe literal movement, like "The troops had to advance up the hill", or to describe progress in a hierarchy, such as "He hoped to advance up the corporate ladder".

What are some alternatives to "advance up"?

Alternatives include "move forward", "progress onward", or "climb up", depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to include "up" after "advance"?

No, it's not always necessary. Often, "advance" alone implies forward movement. The "up" is specifically useful when emphasizing upward motion or progression in a metaphorical sense, like advancing in a career.