advance yourself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "advance yourself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when encouraging someone to improve their skills, knowledge, or position in a personal or professional context. Example: "To achieve your career goals, it's important to take courses and seek opportunities that will help you advance yourself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"To advance yourself professionally, you should become a member of one these teams.

The New York Times - Science

This is about connecting with the natural forces to advance yourself spiritually".

The New York Times

It is not usually considered sinful in Washington to advance yourself; that is pretty much what the place is about.

The New York Times - Books

"This is sort of out of a script right in New Jersey, where you're going to meet at the Tick Tock Diner to rub out your uncle to advance yourself," he said.

The New York Times

"We as Catholics at Queen's were very much imbued with the idea that you could advance yourself through education," Carson says, "and we felt that the answer was to be in command of the language".

The Guardian - Books

"When people have a sense that you believe that there is something bigger than yourself in life," Mr. Schundler said, "I think it gives them confidence that you will show some self-restraint in the exercise of power, that you actually will try to do good, and not just advance yourself".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"Politics has ever been about advancing yourself," Richard Holbrooke said.

The New Yorker

Service, he added, "was not about advancing yourself, it is about advancing the interests of Americans".

Independent

He believed that if you were not advancing yourself intellectually, professionally, or monetarily, you were wasting time.

The New Yorker

In a society based on self-fulfillment and self-esteem, on looking after yourself and advancing yourself, Christ calls us to a heroic task of self-emptying.

Huffington Post

To do anything in life requires an intention whether it's brushing your teeth, baking a cake, earning a college degree or advancing yourself at work.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "advance yourself", ensure the context makes it clear whether you're referring to professional, personal, or spiritual growth. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "advance yourself" in contexts where the method of advancement is unclear. Specify the actions or strategies one should take to achieve advancement. For example, instead of saying 'You need to advance yourself', specify 'You need to take courses to advance yourself professionally'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "advance yourself" functions as an imperative verb phrase, urging or suggesting that someone take steps to improve their position, skills, or knowledge. This aligns with Ludwig AI’s assessment of the phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "advance yourself" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that encourages personal or professional growth. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s appropriate in various contexts, particularly in news, self-help guides, and career-oriented discussions. To maximize clarity, specify the actions someone can take to achieve advancement and, although the phrase is flexible, consider alternatives such as "improve your standing" or "boost your career" to fine-tune the message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improve your standing

Focuses on enhancing your position or reputation.

better your prospects

Emphasizes enhancing future opportunities and possibilities.

boost your career

Specifically relates to professional development and advancement.

develop your potential

Highlights the growth and realization of one's capabilities.

further your ambitions

Stresses making progress towards personal goals and aspirations.

cultivate your skills

Concentrates on refining and expanding existing abilities.

enhance your knowledge

Focuses on increasing one's understanding and expertise.

propel your growth

Implies a significant and rapid increase in personal or professional development.

accelerate your progress

Emphasizes speeding up the rate of advancement.

elevate your status

Highlights improving one's social or professional standing.

FAQs

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

You can use "advance yourself" to suggest improving one's position, knowledge, or skills. For example, “To succeed in this industry, you need to continuously "advance yourself" through learning and networking.”

What are some alternatives to "advance yourself"?

Alternatives include "improve your standing", "develop your potential", or "boost your career", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "advance yourself" or "improve yourself"?

Both are correct, but "advance yourself" often implies forward movement in a career or social standing, while "improve yourself" is a more general term for personal development.

How does "advance yourself" differ from "advancing the interests of others"?

"Advance yourself" focuses on personal gain and improvement, while "advancing the interests of others" prioritizes benefiting others, often at one's own expense.