advances - Master This Word
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advances Word Meanings
- to move forward
- to improve or develop
- to promote or raise in rank
advances Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
advances Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ədˈvɑːns/
US
/ədˈvæns/
advances Word Etymology
ad- = to, vance = advance; Latin → Old French → English. Imagine a soldier charging forward, where 'advanced' means taking the initiative in battle.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I plant my feet, push off the floor, and take a small step forward, a quiet advance in my day. I shift my shoulders, change my pace, and keep my eyes on the next task as my hands adjust the grip on a handle. I hold steady, turn my wrist, and place a page in its spot, feeling the effort in my arms. The meaning of advance arrives not as a rule but as a felt push to go a little further.
Real Context
In English, advance covers moving forward, making progress, and moving something ahead in time or place. It functions as both a verb and a noun. As a verb you can advance toward a goal, advance a plan, or advance in rank by merit. As a noun it can mean forward movement, progress, or an amount paid ahead of time (an advance on wages, an advance payment). Common collocations include advance toward, advance on a project, and advance notice. The word also appears in financial phrases like cash advances and advances in financing. Learners often confuse advance with improve or promote, misplace prepositions (advance to vs advance on), or confuse the noun and verb forms.
Usage Reminders
- Keep noun and verb forms distinct
- Watch prepositions after advance (toward, to, on)
- Differentiate advance from promotion in career contexts
- Use advance in financial phrases as advance payment or cash advance
- Avoid translating advance as merely improve or grow
- Remember advance can mean both movement and progress
Common Misconceptions
- Advance always means money paid before it is due
- Advance equals promotion in every career context
- You must always use advance with to
- Advance and improve are interchangeable
- Advance cannot refer to physical movement
Thinking Differences
In English, advance is a flexible term that covers physical movement, progress, and financial or strategic moves. Learners often overgeneralize it to mean only improvement or to misuse prepositions after the verb.
Learning Tips
- Practice both verb and noun forms in context
- Note the collocations with toward, to, and on
- Differentiate advance from promotion in career contexts
- Learn phrases like advance payment and cash advances
- Be careful with prepositions after advance (to vs on)
- Use examples to recall the nuance between movement and progress
Related Listening
🔥 Advanced
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