To advance is to move forward or do something ahead of a particular time.
Kevin advanced from assistant manager to manager and then to regional manager.
It’s necessary to pay for this in advance.
Thanks in advance.
The army is advancing on the small town.
You’ll advance in this company if you improve your English.
Advance. (Move forward. This is a command.)
The words "advanced" and "advancing" are used as adjectives. When something is "advanced," it’s progressing quickly. This can be good or bad.
She has advanced Alzheimer’s disease.
Brian is taking an advanced algebra class.
Zahra teaches an advanced French course.
There was no advanced warning of the attack.
An advancing army caused residents of the small town to panic.
Advancing students moved to the next level in the language program.
The word "advancement" is a noun:
There’s really no opportunity for advancement in this company because it’s so small.
Advancements in science and technology have improved our quality of life.
There are a few other uses for the word "advance" when it’s a noun:
The supervisor made an advance on one of his employees. (This means he expressed a romantic or sexual desire. This is almost always illegal in the U.S.)
Jose asked for an advance from the owner of the company that he works for. (An "advance" is money paid for work that has not yet been completed.)
The publishing company gave me a $10,000 advance for the book that I’m currently working on.
