advanced towards

USAGE SUMMARY

"advanced towards" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It means to move or progress in a particular direction or towards something. Example: The army advanced towards the enemy's stronghold, ready for battle.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As Ganzorig crouched down in disbelief, both coaches advanced towards the judges while stripping.

The Guardian - Sport

Rankin and some white builders working nearby claimed that Chapman advanced towards the officer.

The Guardian

The striker advanced towards Joe Hart and thumped his drive beyond the goalkeeper.

The Guardian - Sport

Bugadze's satirical novel The Literature Express opens with the 2008 war with Russia, when tanks advanced towards Tbilisi.

The Guardian - Books

The latest package technology has advanced towards three-dimensional (3-D) system in package (SiP) design.

Microelectronics Reliability

On April 13th, hundreds of rebel troops advanced towards Ndjamena, the capital of Chad, intent on unseating President Idriss Déby.

The Economist

The Central African Republic has been plunged into a fresh crisis as rebels advanced towards the capital, Bangui, after threatening to topple the country's president.

The Guardian

Having resisted the overtures of men for all of her adult life, Haza advanced towards her 40th year unsure who she would settle down with.

The Guardian - Music

The men were jailed for burning army trucks, stealing equipment or attacking soldiers on 4 June as the military advanced towards the protesters in Tiananmen Square.

The Guardian

He twice ignored the officers' orders that he drop the weapons as he advanced towards them, the police and witnesses said.

The New York Times

'The crowd advanced towards the police station and began firing at those stood outside it,' said a briefing released to families six months after the murders.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "advanced towards" to clearly indicate directed movement, especially when emphasizing the deliberate nature of the action. For example, "The scientist advanced towards the microscope, eager to examine the sample."

Common error

Avoid using "advanced towards" when a simpler verb like "approached" or "moved to" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "advanced towards" functions as a verb phrase followed by a preposition, primarily used to describe a directed movement or progression. As Ludwig AI explained, is considered a correct phrase to use in written English. Examples from Ludwig show its use in describing military movements, physical approaches, and abstract progressions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

23%

Science

14%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "advanced towards" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe a purposeful movement in a specific direction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for written English and used in a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media, scientific articles and also in less formal sources. When using "advanced towards", consider alternatives such as "approached" or "moved towards" to avoid repetition. Ensure your writing is clear and concise, and adapt the level of formality to suit the intended audience. Common mistakes include using the phrase when a simpler verb would suffice. This robust analysis shows that "advanced towards" is a valuable addition to one's writing repertoire.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approached

Implies a drawing nearer in space or time; more concise and direct.

moved in the direction of

More descriptive and emphasizes the act of moving.

proceeded toward

More formal, suggesting a deliberate and orderly movement.

marched toward

Suggests a determined and purposeful movement, often in a military context.

progressed to

Focuses on the progression aspect, suitable when discussing stages or development.

headed to

Informal and direct, indicating a clear destination.

made their way to

Emphasizes the journey or effort involved in reaching a destination.

closed in on

Suggests a strategic or tactical movement, often implying an intent to surround or capture.

gravitated toward

Implies a natural or involuntary attraction or movement.

converged on

Suggests multiple entities moving towards a single point from different directions.

FAQs

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

You can use "advanced towards" to describe a deliberate movement in a specific direction. For example: "The army "advanced towards" the city" or "The student "advanced towards" the stage to receive their diploma".

What can I say instead of "advanced towards"?

You can use alternatives like "approached", "moved towards", or "proceeded to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "advanced towards" or "advanced to"?

"Advanced towards" indicates movement in a direction, while "advanced to" typically indicates reaching a specific point or stage. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the direction or the destination.

What's the difference between "advanced towards" and "approached"?

"Advanced towards" often implies a more deliberate or strategic movement, while "approached" is a more general term for drawing nearer. Consider the context to determine which best fits the nuance you want to convey.