The phrase "advances something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing progress or improvement in a particular area, idea, or initiative.
Example: "The new policy advances something important in our efforts to promote sustainability."
Alternatives: "promotes something" or "further something".
The warden said another inmate was fending off an unwanted sexual advance, something Mr. Khodorkovsky's press aides denied.
"They are divided between the need to advance something for the Americans and for Israeli public opinion, versus the lack of conviction that it will achieve anything".
Perhaps you arrived to their meeting ten minutes late without a good excuse or telling them in advance – something they consider a sign of disrespect.
The Blues became the first National Hockey League team to advance, something they failed to do last year when they were beaten in the first round by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings.
"But I wouldn't want to rule out the possibility of advancing something if we thought we could make some progress". He was not saying what he might advance, but that is the way the Administration and Secretary Baker, the President's chief economic policy maker, often begin preparing the press for big news.
James Fitzjames Stephen advanced something that looks very much like Berlin's pluralism (Stephen 1873), though he allied it to a conservative critique of Mill's liberalism.
Chen's lesson in entrepreneurship to pass along: "Be willing to look at obstacles from different angles, and then use that natural grad student's persistence and perspiration to advance something that you believe in".
Keep in mind that no matter how well you prepare in advance, something will always inevitably come up that you didn't expect.
In addition, the Kings will have to beat the Sharks at least once on the road if they want to advance — something they were unable to do in last year's seven-game series victory over San Jose.
