Cool MateAdvance vs If I move on vs Progress
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Advance
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
If I move on
Top 2,000 (common)
Progress
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
| Advance | If I move on | Progress | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ədˈvɑːns/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ədˈvæns/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ɪf aɪ muːv ɒn//🇺🇸 //ɪf aɪ muːv ɑːn// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈprəʊɡres/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈprɑːɡres//ˈprɑːɡrəs/"]/ |
| Meaning | To move forward or make progress. | To continue with life after a difficult experience. | moving forward or getting better at something |
| Example | She received an advance on her salary this month. | It's time to move on after our breakup. | She made great progress in her studies this semester. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - | A2 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun | |
| Collocations | big, considerable, dramatic, make, advance in, advance on, advance towards/toward, rapid, Allied, British, make, order, halt, advance on, advance to, advance towards/toward, large, cash, give, pay, get, advance of, advance on, amorous, sexual, make, advance to | move on after, move on from, learn to move on, help someone move on | considerable, dramatic, excellent, achieve, make, chart, continue, slow, stall, report, note, in progress, progress from… to…, progress in, a lack of progress, the march of progress, a rate of progress, considerable, dramatic, excellent, achieve, make, chart, continue, slow, stall, report, note, in progress, progress from… to…, progress in, a lack of progress, the march of progress, a rate of progress |
| Antonyms | retreat, halt, decline | - | regression, setback, decline |
| Common mistakes | 'Advance' is sometimes confused with 'advancement', which means progress in a job or career., Learners may misuse 'advance' when they mean 'wait' instead of moving forward., Some may think 'advance' only applies to physical movement, excluding abstract uses like 'advancing knowledge'. | Confused with 'move out' (leaving a place)., Using 'move on' with inanimate subjects., Incorrectly using 'moving on' as a noun. | Confused with 'process'; they are different in meaning., Using 'progressing' incorrectly as an adjective., Mistakenly pluralizing it as 'progresses' in non-specific contexts. |
| Usage notes | Use 'advance' in both formal and informal contexts, often when discussing progress or improvement. Not typically used in casual conversation without context. | Use 'move on' in situations where someone is letting go of a past issue. It can feel informal but is commonly accepted in many contexts. Avoid using in very formal writing. | Use in both formal and informal contexts. It's common to talk about progress in learning, work, or personal goals. Avoid using in overly casual settings where simpler terms might be more fitting. |
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Frequently asked questions: Advance vs If I move on vs Progress
What's the difference between Advance, If I move on, and Progress?
Advance: To move forward or make progress. If I move on: To continue with life after a difficult experience. Progress: moving forward or getting better at something
Which is more advanced: Advance, If I move on, and Progress?
Advance is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Advance: She received an advance on her salary this month. If I move on: It's time to move on after our breakup. Progress: She made great progress in her studies this semester.
Can I use Advance, If I move on, and Progress interchangeably?
Not always. Advance, If I move on, and Progress are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.