Cool MateAdvance vs Keep things moving
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Advance
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
Keep things moving
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Advance
| Advance | Keep things moving | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ədˈvɑːns/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ədˈvæns/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //kiːp θɪŋz ˈmuːvɪŋ//🇺🇸 //kip θɪŋz ˈmuːvɪŋ// |
| Meaning | To move forward or make progress. | Make sure progress continues and does not stop. |
| Example | She received an advance on her salary this month. | We need to keep things moving to meet our deadline. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | 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 | keep things moving forward, keep things moving along, keep projects moving, keep conversations moving |
| Antonyms | retreat, halt, 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'. | Using 'keep things move' instead of 'keep things moving'., Confusing with 'keeping up' which has a different meaning., Omitting 'things' and saying just 'keep moving'. |
| 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 in contexts related to activities, projects, or achieving goals. It’s not typically used in very formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Advance vs Keep things moving
What's the difference between Advance and Keep things moving?
Advance: To move forward or make progress. Keep things moving: Make sure progress continues and does not stop.
Which is more common: Advance and Keep things moving?
Advance is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Advance: She received an advance on her salary this month. Keep things moving: We need to keep things moving to meet our deadline.
Can I use Advance and Keep things moving interchangeably?
Not always. Advance and Keep things moving 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.