advantages
advantages — noun
1. a feature or situation that puts someone in a better position than others to suc
a feature or situation that puts someone in a better position than others to succeed, get what they want, or achieve a goal
Growing up bilingual gave Mei-Lin a clear advantage when she applied for international jobs.
give [someone] an advantage when [situation]
The home team had the advantage of knowing their pitch, helping them control the game.
the advantage of [noun phrase]
One advantage of small-town living is that housing costs less than in the city.
The new training programme offers real advantages for people hoping to change careers.
A good education gives a huge competitive advantage in today's job market.
- benefit
more general; can refer to any positive outcome, not necessarily one that puts you ahead of others
- edge
informal; suggests a slight or narrow advantage over an opponent
- upper hand
idiomatic; implies control or dominance in a competitive situation
- disadvantage
direct opposite; a feature that puts someone in a worse position
文法句型
have/gain/enjoy an advantage
advantage of [noun/doing]
advantage over [someone/something]
用法筆記
Commonly paired with verbs like 'have', 'give', 'gain', 'offer', and prepositions 'of' (what the advantage is) and 'over' (who you are ahead of). 'Competitive advantage' is a fixed collocation in business contexts.
常見錯誤
2. used in the phrase 'take advantage of something' to mean making good use of an o
used in the phrase 'take advantage of something' to mean making good use of an opportunity or resource so that you gain something helpful or enjoyable
The students took full advantage of the library resources to prepare for their exams.
take full advantage of [resources]
Farid took advantage of the sunny weather and went for a long bike ride.
take advantage of [weather/situation]
You should take advantage of the early-bird discount before the special offer ends next Friday.
In Tokyo, Yuna took advantage of every chance to speak Japanese with local people.
- make use of
more general; less idiomatic; can be used in any register
- capitalize on
more formal; suggests turning a situation to your strategic benefit
- waste
opposite action; to let an opportunity pass without using it
文法句型
take advantage of [something/doing something]
用法筆記
This sense only occurs in the fixed phrase 'take advantage of + noun/gerund'. The noun 'advantage' stays singular in this phrase even when the headword is plural. The phrase has a neutral or positive tone, focusing on using something well rather than wasting it.
常見錯誤
3. used in the phrase 'take advantage of someone' to mean treating someone unfairly
used in the phrase 'take advantage of someone' to mean treating someone unfairly for your own benefit, especially by using their kindness, trust, or weaker position
The elderly couple felt the repairman had taken advantage of them by overcharging.
take advantage of [someone] (exploit)
Kofi warned his sister not to let her classmates take advantage of her generous nature.
take advantage of someone's [quality]
Some landlords take advantage of students by renting out small, unsafe rooms at high prices.
Nadia realised that her coworker was taking advantage of her willingness to stay late.
- help
opposite intention; to act for someone else's benefit rather than your own at their expense
文法句型
take advantage of [someone/someone's quality]
用法筆記
Distinguish from noun sense 2 (MAKE GOOD USE): in this sense the object of 'take advantage of' is a person or a person's qualities (kindness, trust, inexperience), not a thing or opportunity. The tone is negative and implies moral criticism of the person doing the exploiting.
常見錯誤
4. in tennis, a point won right after the score reaches deuce (forty–forty), puttin
in tennis, a point won right after the score reaches deuce (forty–forty), putting the player one point away from winning the game
After a long rally, Sofia won the advantage at deuce with an unreturned serve.
win the advantage (tennis scoring)
The umpire called 'advantage, Mr Wang' as the crowd clapped loudly for the well-played point.
Serena needed two advantages before she broke her opponent's serve and won the game.
文法句型
win/get the advantage
advantage [player name]
用法筆記
Used only in tennis scoring. After deuce (40–40), the next point is called 'advantage' for the winning player. If that player then wins the next point, they win the game. If they lose it, the score returns to deuce. The plural 'advantages' is used when multiple advantage points occur in one game.
5. a rule in football and other team sports that allows the referee to let play con
a rule in football and other team sports that allows the referee to let play continue after a foul if stopping the game would unfairly punish the team that was fouled
The referee signalled advantage, allowing the striker to keep running towards the goal.
signal/play advantage (referee decision)
The advantage rule let the attacking team keep the ball after a clear foul.
Players sometimes fall hoping for a foul, but the referee may play advantage instead.
文法句型
play the advantage
signal advantage
advantage rule
用法筆記
Common in British football (soccer) commentary and rules. The referee 'plays the advantage' or 'signals advantage' when they allow play to continue after a foul. This sense is uncountable and does not take a plural form.
advantages — verb
1. to give someone or something a better chance of success by providing a helpful s
to give someone or something a better chance of success by providing a helpful situation or condition that others do not have
A well-funded transport system would advantage everyone in the outer suburbs who commutes to work.
advantage [someone] (verb pattern)
Critics argued that the new tax laws unfairly advantaged large corporations over small family businesses.
Students from well-funded schools are advantaged by having access to better technology.
The current scholarship system advantages applicants who can afford expensive test preparation courses.
- disadvantage
direct opposite as a verb; to put someone in a worse position
文法句型
advantage [someone/something]
be advantaged by [something]
用法筆記
This verb is formal and much less common than the noun form. In everyday English, people usually say 'give an advantage to' or 'benefit' instead. It is often used in discussions of social or economic policy where one group is seen as receiving unfair preferential treatment.