advances

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'advances' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a noun or a verb, and it can mean different things depending on the context. For example: As technology advances, more efficient methods of communication are developed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Advances in medicine mean that the number of people surviving brain injuries is increasing.

The Guardian

The Snowden files revealed intelligence-gathering is now being conducted on a grand scale, with the NSA and GCHQ exploiting advances in technology to tap into, store and analyse more and more information.

The Guardian

Snowden has disclosed that their advances on our fundamental cryptography were good but not excellent.

The Guardian - Tech

After all, physiotherapy has made significant advances in the recent past: since 1977, it has enjoyed clinical autonomy and been able to take direct patient referrals; in 2002, the first consultant physiotherapist was appointed; and in 2013, physiotherapists won independent prescribing rights.

The Guardian

It is obvious why the club's president, Florentino Pérez, is attracted to De Gea (nothing will convince me De Gea wouldn't have saved the shot from Álvaro Morata that got the hankies fluttering again and eliminated Madrid from the Champions League) and the unfortunate truth for United is that it would still be a shock if Van Gaal is correct and De Gea chooses to bat away Madrid's advances.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet Ukip is itself in turmoil amid its advances.

The Guardian - Opinion

The letter from Oliphant to Valcke reads: "In view of the decision by the South African government that an amount of USD 10million from the organising committee's future operational budget funding and thereafter advances the amount to the Diaspora Legacy Programme.

The Guardian - Sport

This is the defence the government mounts most often when Labor advances on the copyaments.

The Guardian

"We will not get distracted by the advances of either [the Sinn Féin deputy first minister] Martin McGuinness or [the Ulster Unionist party leader] Mike Nesbitt seeking pacts.

The Guardian

"We have made tremendous advances in the past ten years".

The Guardian

Recent advances in behavioural economics, cognitive neuroscience, network theory and social psychology more generally have overturned our common sense understanding of human behaviour.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "advances" in a specific field, provide concrete examples to illustrate the progress made. This strengthens your argument and makes it more relatable.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the impact of small developments. Focus on substantial progress that has a tangible effect or broad implications. Be objective and avoid hype.

Linguistic Context

The word "advances" primarily functions as a noun plural, denoting progress, improvements, or developments in a particular field or area. As Ludwig AI indicates, the term follows standard grammar rules and is widely recognized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "advances" functions primarily as a plural noun, signifying progress or positive developments across diverse fields. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage aligns with standard grammatical rules, making it a reliable choice in writing. As shown in the provided examples by Ludwig, the word "advances" sees frequent usage in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. To ensure accuracy, be mindful of the specific type of progress you want to describe and select alternative words like "improvements" or "developments" where appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

developments

Emphasizes the gradual unfolding or growth of something.

progressions

Focuses on the process of moving forward rather than specific achievements.

improvements

Highlights the act of making something better or more effective.

gains

Focuses on the advantages or benefits acquired.

breakthroughs

Refers to sudden, significant discoveries or achievements.

innovations

Highlights the introduction of new ideas, methods, or devices.

headway

Emphasizes making progress, especially when it is slow or difficult.

onward movement

Describes the act of physically or metaphorically moving forward.

steps forward

Highlights individual actions or stages contributing to overall progress.

positive changes

Focuses on the beneficial transformations that occur.

FAQs

How can I use "advances" in a sentence?

You can use "advances" to refer to progress or improvements in a particular field. For example, "Recent "advances in medicine" have significantly increased life expectancy."

What are some synonyms for "advances"?

Alternatives to "advances" include "progressions", "improvements", or "developments", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "advances" in both singular and plural forms?

While "advances" is typically used in the plural form to denote multiple instances of progress, the singular form "advance" is used when referring to a single instance or a specific step forward.

How do "advances" differ from "improvements"?

"Advances" generally refer to significant steps forward or breakthroughs, while "improvements" often describe more incremental or gradual enhancements.