advances towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "advances towards" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of moving closer to a goal, target, or location, often in a progressive or forward manner. Example: "The research team makes significant advances towards finding a cure for the disease."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This research advances towards a technology demonstration mission.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Grain comminution advances towards the strongly indurated cataclasite fault core.

Earth and Planetary Science Letters

He can also expect additional FA sanctions for making unwanted advances towards opponents.

The Guardian - Sport

Two of the waiters would regularly make inappropriate advances towards me.

The Guardian - Money

But when I read that I had made advances towards this woman, that never happened".

The Guardian

But a group of researchers has made advances towards a Terminator-like era of augmented vision.

MIT Technology Review

The Council also called on M23 to halt "any further advances towards the city of Goma".

The New York Times

Advances towards egalitarianism in professional recruitment may be offset by processes of occupational re-segregation.

Accounting, Organizations and Society

Of course, some boys did make advances towards me, but I firmly believe there was nothing sexual about that.

The Guardian - Books

First, when Esmeralda advances towards a huge bed: for a second you expect 'The Song of the Hump'.

The Guardian

The gathering at the UN made other advances towards dealing with climate change, the White House said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "advances towards", ensure the subject is actively contributing to the progress being made. This phrase implies a deliberate movement or effort in a specific direction.

Common error

Avoid using "advances towards" when the subject is not actively involved in the progression. For example, it's more appropriate to say 'technology facilitates advances towards a solution' rather than 'a solution advances towards itself'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "advances towards" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating movement or progress in a specific direction. It often modifies a verb, describing how an action contributes to a particular goal, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "advances towards" is a versatile and commonly used prepositional phrase signifying forward movement or progress. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. The phrase sees frequent use across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business writing. It is important to consider the active role of the subject in driving the progress when using this phrase. For alternative expressions, consider options like "progresses toward" or "moves closer to" for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

progresses toward

Similar in meaning, but uses the singular form 'progresses' and 'toward' instead of 'advances' and 'towards'.

moves closer to

Indicates a gradual reduction in distance, implying progress toward a specific goal.

makes strides toward

Highlights significant improvements or progress in a specific area.

develops in the direction of

Emphasizes the direction of development or growth.

works toward

Focuses on the effort and activity directed toward achieving a goal.

evolves toward

Implies a gradual transformation or change leading to a specific outcome.

marches toward

Suggests a determined and unwavering progression.

edges closer to

Indicates a slow but steady approach or progression.

gravitates toward

Implies a natural or inherent inclination or movement.

tends toward

Describes a general inclination or propensity for a particular outcome.

FAQs

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

Use "advances towards" to describe progress or movement in a specific direction. For example, "The company made significant "strides towards" its sustainability goals this year".

What are some alternatives to "advances towards"?

You can use alternatives such as "progresses toward", "moves closer to", or "works toward" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Consider also "makes headway toward".

Is it better to say "advances towards" or "advances toward"?

"Advances towards" is more common, though "advances toward" is also grammatically correct. The choice depends on stylistic preference, but "advances towards" aligns with established usage patterns.

How does "advances towards" differ from "achieves"?

"Advances towards" suggests incremental progress, while "achieves" implies the completion of a goal. Use "advances towards" when describing ongoing efforts, and "achieves" when describing a finished outcome.