advances
advances — verb
1. to go farther forward, or to help a plan, piece of work, or group reach a later
to go farther forward, or to help a plan, piece of work, or group reach a later and better stage.
The rescue team advances slowly through the smoke-filled tunnel.
intransitive movement with adverb + through-phrase
Better software advances the work of small clinics in remote towns.
transitive use for helping progress
As the meeting advances, the two sides begin to sound less angry.
Nila advances the cart closer to the elevator before the doors close.
- progress
close in meaning for moving ahead, but less often takes a direct object meaning 'help forward'
- move forward
more neutral and literal, especially for physical motion
- promote
usually focuses on helping an idea, cause, or person succeed rather than simple forward movement
文法句型
advance + adverb/preposition
advance + object
advance + object + prepositional phrase
用法筆記
Often used both for physical movement and for helping work, science, or plans move forward. Distinguish from verb/4, which is limited to prices, rates, or values going up.
常見錯誤
2. to give someone money before the usual date, expecting it to be settled later fr
to give someone money before the usual date, expecting it to be settled later from pay, sales, or repayment.
The company advances Mia part of her travel money before each trip.
advance + person + amount
The bank advances Leo a small sum until his cheque clears.
Her uncle advances her bus fare whenever school starts after a holiday.
The publisher advances writers money once the contract is signed.
- withhold
to keep the money back instead of giving it early
文法句型
advance + person + amount
advance + amount + to + person
用法筆記
Usually used when the money will later be deducted, repaid, or balanced against future earnings. Unlike verb/1, this sense normally takes a person and a sum of money.
常見錯誤
3. to present an idea, explanation, or plan so that other people can consider it se
to present an idea, explanation, or plan so that other people can consider it seriously.
During the meeting, Renata advances a plan for shorter weekend shifts.
formal use with plan as object
The lawyer advances a new explanation for the missing files in court.
Hiro advances the view that early practice matters more than talent.
In her article, Ayesha advances two reasons for keeping the park open.
- withdraw
used when an idea or proposal is taken back
文法句型
advance + plan
advance + theory
advance + the view that-clause
用法筆記
More formal than simply saying 'say' or 'suggest'. The object is usually an idea, theory, argument, or proposal, not a physical thing.
常見錯誤
4. to become more valuable or more expensive, especially in trading or market repor
to become more valuable or more expensive, especially in trading or market reports.
Tech shares advance after the company reports stronger summer sales.
financial reporting context
The price of rice advances again after heavy rain damages crops.
Oil advances by two dollars a barrel before midday trading ends.
After the rate cut, the local currency advances against the dollar.
文法句型
advance by + amount
advance against + currency
advance after + event
用法筆記
Mostly seen in business or market writing. Distinguish from verb/1: this sense is about value going up, not about people or projects moving forward.
5. to move someone into a higher job, title, or rank because they are trusted or ha
to move someone into a higher job, title, or rank because they are trusted or have done well.
The hospital advances Emre to head nurse after a difficult winter.
advance + person + to + position
The board advances Andrew to regional manager after six strong months.
The army advances recruits into leadership roles after the final exam.
The school advances its best teachers into mentoring roles after review.
- demote
to move someone to a lower rank or position
文法句型
advance + person + to + position
advance + person + into + role
用法筆記
Used when an organization raises someone to a more important position. Distinguish from verb/1, where a person or thing simply moves forward rather than receiving a promotion.
常見錯誤
advances — noun
1. steps forward that show something is improving, developing, or moving closer to
steps forward that show something is improving, developing, or moving closer to a goal.
Recent advances in battery design have made smaller scooters more practical.
advances in + field
The army's advances forced villagers to leave before sunrise.
Medical advances now help many babies survive much earlier births.
Her advances in spoken English surprised even her strict tutor.
- progress
the broadest everyday term for moving ahead or improving
- development
often used for a process of change over time rather than one clear step forward
- breakthrough
stronger; suggests a sudden and important discovery or success
文法句型
advances in + field
make advances in + area
用法筆記
Often appears in the plural when talking about science, technology, medicine, or military movement. Distinguish from noun/4, which refers specifically to gains in price or value.
2. amounts of money given before the normal payment time or before the work has ful
amounts of money given before the normal payment time or before the work has fully earned them.
The band survived on small advances from the record company.
advances from + source
Staff can ask for wage advances after a family emergency.
Young writers often spend their advances before the novel is finished.
We covered the hotel deposit with cash advances from two credit cards.
- prepayment
broader and often used for money paid before a service or purchase
- loan
wider in meaning; does not specifically imply early payment against future earnings
- allowance
can mean regular money given for spending, not necessarily money paid early
- balance
the remaining amount paid later
文法句型
advances from + source
ask for an advance
live on advances
用法筆記
Common when talking about wages, book contracts, or credit-card cash withdrawals. The money comes before the usual settlement point.
常見錯誤
3. words or actions showing that someone wants to turn friendly contact into physic
words or actions showing that someone wants to turn friendly contact into physical or romantic interest.
Dewi laughed off his advances and kept chatting with friends nearby.
common phrase: laugh off advances
Unwanted advances from a customer made the waiter feel unsafe.
The film star rejected several advances during the charity dinner.
After repeated advances, Dana finally blocked the musician's number.
- come-ons
informal and often suggests direct or pushy sexual interest
- overtures
more formal and can also refer to non-romantic attempts to open communication
- flirtation
lighter and often playful, not always serious or unwelcome
- rejection
the act of refusing someone's romantic interest
文法句型
reject advances
make advances toward + person
用法筆記
Very often used for unwanted behavior, especially in workplace or social-safety discussions. It is more formal and broader than simply saying someone flirted.
常見錯誤
4. upward moves in what something costs or is worth, especially in market or busine
upward moves in what something costs or is worth, especially in market or business reports.
Early advances in copper prices lifted mining shares across Europe.
advances in + price
The market erased Monday's advances before the closing bell rang.
Small advances in rent can still hurt families on tight budgets.
Investors welcomed advances in the airline's share price after the merger.
文法句型
advances in + price
erase the advances
record advances in + market
用法筆記
Most common in finance or business reporting. Distinguish from noun/1, where the movement forward may be scientific, personal, or military rather than a change in value.