an advance

USAGE SUMMARY

"advance" can be used in written English as both a noun and a verb.
For example: "The company made an advance payment to reserve the delivery truck."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

An advance is an advance.

The New York Times - Sports

This is an advance".

The New Yorker

Magadan had an advance preview.

The New York Times - Sports

Wow, what an advance.

The New York Times - Tech

I thought I am receiving an advance.

The New Yorker

That understanding alone is clearly an advance.

The Economist

"Senior minister" is an advance.

The Guardian

It's an advance in civilisation".

The Guardian

It is not an advance.

The Guardian

That would be an advance.

The Guardian - Opinion

Don't bother to pay me an advance".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "step forward", "improvement", or "preliminary" for variety and to precisely convey the intended meaning. Evaluate the context to choose the word that fits best.

Common error

Avoid using "an advance" when referring to a retreat or setback. Ensure the context implies forward movement, not regression. For example, do not say "It was an advance" when the situation clearly worsened.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an advance" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject complement or object in a sentence. It denotes progress, improvement, or a preliminary action. Ludwig provides examples where it signifies a positive development or a payment made beforehand.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an advance" is a common noun phrase that signifies progress, improvement, or a preliminary action. Ludwig's examples and the identified source types indicate its frequent use in news, science, and business contexts, making it a versatile phrase suitable for both neutral and professional communication. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct. While it is a widely accepted phrase, it's crucial to ensure the context aligns with the intended meaning of forward movement or a preliminary step to avoid misinterpretation. Exploring synonyms can add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an improvement

Indicates a change that makes something better.

a step forward

Focuses on the idea of moving ahead, suggesting progress in a specific direction.

a development

Refers to a new stage or event, implying growth or evolution.

a progression

Emphasizes a sequential movement or development towards a goal.

a breakthrough

Highlights a significant discovery or achievement that overcomes an obstacle.

a head start

Focuses on gaining an advantage by beginning something early.

a preliminary

Implies something that comes before or prepares for something else.

an early look

Emphasizes the opportunity to see or experience something before it is widely available.

a pre-payment

Implies making a payment before it's officially due.

a vantage

Highlights having a superior or advantageous position.

FAQs

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

You can use "an advance" to describe progress, improvement, or something provided beforehand. For example, "The new technology is "an advance" in medical treatment", or "The publisher provided "an advance" on the book royalties".

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "an advance"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a step forward", "an improvement", or "a preliminary" as alternatives to "an advance".

Is it correct to say "a advance" instead of "an advance"?

No, it is not correct. The article "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound, while "a" is used before words that begin with a consonant sound. Since "advance" starts with a vowel sound, the correct usage is "an advance".

What's the difference between "an advance" and "advances" (plural)?

"An advance" refers to a single instance of progress or a single preliminary action. "Advances" (plural) refers to multiple instances or areas of progress. For example, "This research represents "an advance" in the field" versus "There have been many "advances" in medicine this year".