they are advancing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they are advancing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe progress or movement forward in various contexts, such as in a military, technological, or personal development scenario. Example: "In the face of adversity, they are advancing towards their goals with determination and resilience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Are the coalition's jets supposed to clobber Libya's forces wherever they are or only when they are advancing?

The Economist

They are advancing through the city.

The New York Times

"It's appropriate to limit teenagers' choices, because they are advancing towards independence," Ms. Setzfand said.

The New York Times

People think think that when they have these gadgets they are advancing.

The Guardian - Music

"When people participate in randomized clinical trials, they are advancing science and helping to get important answers," Dr. Manson says.

Harvard University

Unfortunately, they are occasionally joined by fools who naively believe that in promoting BDS, they are advancing peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

When they can play proficiently with the broom handles, actually rallying, they are advanced to the use of strung frames.

The New Yorker

In the UK, they are advanced as a mechanism for enacting the changes called for under clinical governance.

Social Science & Medicine

And they are advanced in many ways.

Huffington Post

They are advanced as points worthy of consideration in similar situations.

Huffington Post

I was living in Germany, they are advanced, I give them that, but now they just want to subjugate us.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they are advancing" to describe a group's forward movement or progress toward a specific goal, whether it's a military unit, a technological development, or a social movement.

Common error

Avoid using "they are advancing" when referring to a singular subject. Ensure the pronoun "they" accurately reflects a plural subject to maintain grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are advancing" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action being performed by a group. Ludwig shows the phrase used to describe progress, movement, or promotion of an idea. The auxiliary verb "are" indicates a continuous or ongoing action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they are advancing" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the forward movement or progress of a group. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its usage across various contexts, including news, academia, and science, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. While alternatives like "they are progressing" or "they are moving forward" exist, "they are advancing" remains a versatile and widely understood expression. It's crucial to ensure the pronoun "they" aligns with a plural subject to avoid grammatical errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are progressing

This alternative focuses on continuous improvement or development.

they are moving forward

This phrase emphasizes physical or metaphorical movement towards a goal.

they are proceeding

This suggests a structured and orderly advancement.

they are developing

Highlights gradual growth and evolution.

they are flourishing

This alternative implies thriving and successful advancement.

they are pushing forward

Emphasizes effort and determination in advancing.

they are making headway

Highlights progress, particularly in overcoming obstacles.

they are gaining ground

Focuses on increasing influence or territory.

they are championing

Suggests active support and promotion of a cause or idea.

they are fostering

Emphasizes nurturing and promoting growth or development.

FAQs

How can I use "they are advancing" in a sentence?

Use "they are advancing" to indicate that a group is making progress or moving forward, such as "They are advancing towards a solution" or "They are advancing their careers".

What are some alternatives to "they are advancing"?

You can use alternatives like "they are progressing", "they are moving forward", or "they are proceeding" depending on the specific context.

Is "they are advancing" formal or informal?

"They are advancing" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing or speech.

What's the difference between "they are advancing" and "they were advancing"?

"They are advancing" indicates present and ongoing progress, while "they were advancing" indicates progress that was happening in the past.