advance

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.

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December 1, 2014