Advance vs. Ahead: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Published on November 19, 2023
Advance refers to moving forward or making progress, while Ahead denotes being in front or at a forward position.
Key Differences
Advance" generally denotes a forward movement or progression, either physically, like advancing troops, or metaphorically, like advancing knowledge. It represents a proactive progression or development in a specific direction or field. Conversely, "Ahead" typically signifies being in front or at a forward position in space, time, or ranking. It can describe a physical position or a state of being further along in development or progress, often without a specified action or effort.
When someone advances, they make a deliberate forward movement or progression. It often implies an intentional effort or action to move forward or improve. In contrast, being ahead does not necessarily involve a specific action or effort; it could be the result of earlier actions or inherent advantages. One could be ahead in a race due to faster speed, or ahead in business due to innovative strategies.
In terms of usage, to advance can also refer to promoting or elevating in rank or position, indicating a rise in status or level. On the other hand, ahead is often used to describe a comparative state of progress or position, like being ahead of schedule or ahead of competitors, indicating a relative advantage or lead.
In temporal contexts, advancing implies moving forward in time, like advancing the clock for daylight saving time. Meanwhile, ahead can signify being in a future time, like an event that lies ahead, representing forthcoming occurrences or states.
To illustrate, an advancing technology sector pushes the boundaries of innovation and development actively. In comparison, a company that is ahead in market share might not be making current advancements but maintains a leading position due to previous innovations.
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Comparison Chart
Grammatical Role
Often used as a verb or noun.
Primarily used as an adverb or adjective.
Implies
Movement or progression.
Position or state of being in front.
Associated Action
Typically involves intentional effort or action.
Doesn’t necessarily involve current action.
Usage
Can signify promotion or elevation in rank.
Used to represent a comparative state of progress.
Temporal Aspect
Can imply moving forward in time.
Can represent being in a future time.
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Advance and Ahead Definitions
Advance
Advance means to move forward in a purposeful way.
The troops will advance at dawn.
Ahead
Ahead means being at the front or in advance of.
She finished ahead of all other competitors.
Advance
Advance can mean a development or improvement.
The advance in medical technology saved many lives.
Ahead
Ahead signifies being in a forward direction or position.
Look ahead and you will see the obstacle.
Advance
Advance refers to a payment made before it is due.
The company provided an advance to cover his relocation expenses.
Ahead
Ahead refers to being in the future.
Many challenges lie ahead.
Advance
Advance can signify promoting or elevating in status or rank.
She received an advance to the position of General Manager.
Ahead
Ahead implies being further along in development or progress.
Our project is ahead of schedule.
Advance
Advance also implies proceeding to a further stage.
We cannot advance to the next level without completing this one.
Ahead
At or to the front or head.
Advance
To cause to move forward
Advance a chess piece.
Ahead
In advance; before
Pay ahead, and you'll receive a discount.
Advance
To put forward; propose or suggest
Advanced a novel theory during the seminar.
Ahead
In or into the future; for the future
Planned ahead.
Advance
To aid the growth or progress of
Advanced the cause of freedom.
Ahead
In an advanced position or a configuration registering the future
Set the clock ahead.
Advance
To raise in rank; promote.
Ahead
At or to a different time; earlier or later
Moved the appointment ahead, from Tuesday to Monday.
Advance
To cause to occur sooner
Advance a deadline by one week.
Ahead
In a forward direction; onward
The train moved ahead slowly.
Advance
To raise in amount or rate; increase.
Ahead
In the prescribed direction or sequence for normal use
You won't hear anything unless you roll the cassette tape ahead.
Advance
To pay (money or interest) before due.
Ahead
In or into a more advantageous position
Wanted to get ahead in life.
Advance
To supply or lend, especially on credit.
Ahead
At or towards the front; in the direction one is facing or moving.
The island was directly ahead.
Just ahead you can see the cliffs.
Keep going straight ahead.
Advance
To serve as an advance person for (a trip to be made by a politician or a dignitary)
"advanced the China trip during which the first trade agreements ... were signed" (Suzanne Perney).
Ahead
So as to be further advanced, either spatially or in an abstract sense.
He finished two laps ahead of me.
In all of his classes Jack was ahead.
Advance
(Archaic) To lift.
Ahead
In or for the future.
There may be tough times ahead.
You've got to think ahead so as not to be unprepared.
Advance
To go or move forward or onward.
Ahead
To a later time.
Set the clock ahead an hour.
Push the deadline ahead a day, from the 20th to the 21st.
Advance
To move against another, as when attacking
Advance on the enemy's position.
Ahead
At an earlier time; beforehand; in advance.
He paid his rent ahead.
Advance
To make progress; improve.
Ahead
To an earlier time.
Push the deadline ahead a day, from the 21st to the 20th.
Advance
To rise in rank, position, or value.
Ahead
In or to the front; in advance; onward.
The island bore but a little ahead of us.
Advance
To serve as an advance person for a trip to be made by a politician or a dignitary.
Ahead
Headlong; without restraint.
Advance
The act or process of moving or going forward.
Ahead
Having the leading position or higher score in a contest;
He is ahead by a pawn
The leading team in the pennant race
Advance
A forward move, as toward an objective; a progressive step
An advance in genetic engineering.
Ahead
At or in the front;
I see the lights of a town ahead
The road ahead is foggy
Staring straight ahead
We couldn't see over the heads of the people in front
With the cross of Jesus marching on before
Advance
An increase of price or value.
Ahead
Toward the future; forward in time;
I like to look ahead in imagination to what the future may bring
I look forward to seeing you
Advance
Advances Opening approaches made to secure acquaintance, favor, or an agreement; overtures.
Ahead
In a forward direction;
Go ahead
The train moved ahead slowly
The boat lurched ahead
Moved onward into the forest
They went slowly forward in the mud
Advance
The furnishing of funds or goods on credit.
Ahead
Ahead of time; in anticipation;
When you pay ahead (or in advance) you receive a discount
We like to plan ahead
Should have made reservations beforehand
Advance
The funds or goods so furnished; a loan.
Ahead
To a more advanced or advantageous position;
A young man sure to get ahead
Pushing talented students ahead
Advance
Payment of money before due
An advance on next month's salary.
Ahead
To a different or a more advanced time (meaning advanced either toward the present or toward the future);
Moved the appointment ahead from Tuesday to Monday
Pushed the deadline ahead from Tuesday to Wednesday
Advance
The money so paid.
Ahead
Leading or ahead in a competition;
The horse was three lengths ahead going into the home stretch
Ahead by two pawns
Our candidate is in the lead in the polls
Way out front in the race
The advertising campaign put them out front in sales
Advance
Preparation, especially publicity, done prior to the appearance of a public figure or the staging of a public event.
Ahead
Ahead can denote having a lead in points or advantages.
Our team is ahead by two goals.
Advance
Made or given ahead of time
An advance payment.
Advance
Going before, in front, or forward.
Advance
To promote or advantage.
Advance
To help the progress of (something); to further.
Advance
To raise (someone) in rank or office; to prefer, to promote.
Advance
To move forward in space or time.
Advance
To move or push (something) forwards, especially forcefully.
Advance
To make (something) happen at an earlier time or date; to bring forward, to hasten.
Advance
(intransitive) To move forwards; to approach.
Advance
To provide (money or other value) before it is due, or in expectation of some work; to lend.
Advance
To put forward (an idea, argument etc.); to propose.
Advance
(intransitive) To make progress; to do well, to succeed.
Advance
(intransitive) To move forward in time; to progress towards completion.
Advance
To raise, be raised.
Advance
To raise; to lift or elevate.
Advance
To raise or increase (a price, rate).
Advance
To increase (a number or amount).
Advance
(intransitive) To make a higher bid at an auction.
Advance
A forward move; improvement or progression.
An advance in health or knowledge
An advance in rank or office
Advance
An amount of money or credit, especially given as a loan, or paid before it is due; an advancement.
Advance
An addition to the price; rise in price or value.
An advance on the prime cost of goods
Advance
(in the plural) An opening approach or overture, now especially of an unwelcome or sexual nature.
Advance
Completed before necessary or a milestone event.
He made an advance payment on the prior shipment to show good faith.
Advance
Preceding.
The advance man came a month before the candidate.
Advance
Forward.
The scouts found a site for an advance base.
Advance
To bring forward; to move towards the van or front; to make to go on.
Advance
To raise; to elevate.
They . . . advanced their eyelids.
Advance
To raise to a higher rank; to promote.
Ahasueres . . . advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes.
Advance
To accelerate the growth or progress; to further; to forward; to help on; to aid; to heighten; as, to advance the ripening of fruit; to advance one's interests.
Advance
To bring to view or notice; to offer or propose; to show; as, to advance an argument.
Some ne'er advance a judgment of their own.
Advance
To make earlier, as an event or date; to hasten.
Advance
To furnish, as money or other value, before it becomes due, or in aid of an enterprise; to supply beforehand; as, a merchant advances money on a contract or on goods consigned to him.
Advance
To raise to a higher point; to enhance; to raise in rate; as, to advance the price of goods.
Advance
To extol; to laud.
Greatly advancing his gay chivalry.
Advance
To move or go forward; to proceed; as, he advanced to greet me.
Advance
To increase or make progress in any respect; as, to advance in knowledge, in stature, in years, in price.
Advance
To rise in rank, office, or consequence; to be preferred or promoted.
Advanced to a level with ancient peers.
Advance
The act of advancing or moving forward or upward; progress.
Advance
Improvement or progression, physically, mentally, morally, or socially; as, an advance in health, knowledge, or religion; an advance in rank or office.
Advance
An addition to the price; rise in price or value; as, an advance on the prime cost of goods.
Advance
The first step towards the attainment of a result; approach made to gain favor, to form an acquaintance, to adjust a difference, etc.; an overture; a tender; an offer; - usually in the plural.
[He] made the like advances to the dissenters.
Advance
A furnishing of something before an equivalent is received (as money or goods), towards a capital or stock, or on loan; payment beforehand; the money or goods thus furnished; money or value supplied beforehand.
I shall, with pleasure, make the necessary advances.
The account was made up with intent to show what advances had been made.
Advance
Before in place, or beforehand in time; - used for advanced; as, an advance guard, or that before the main guard or body of an army; advance payment, or that made before it is due; advance proofs, advance sheets, pages of a forthcoming volume, received in advance of the time of publication.
Advance
A movement forward;
He listened for the progress of the troops
Advance
A change for the better; progress in development
Advance
A tentative suggestion designed to elicit the reactions of others;
She rejected his advances
Advance
The act of moving forward toward a goal
Advance
An amount paid before it is earned
Advance
Increase in price or value;
The news caused a general advance on the stock market
Advance
Move forward, also in the metaphorical sense;
Time marches on
Advance
Bring forward for consideration or acceptance;
Advance an argument
Advance
Increase or raise;
Boost the voltage in an electrical circuit
Advance
Contribute to the progress or growth of;
I am promoting the use of computers in the classroom
Advance
Cause to move forward;
Can you move the car seat forward?
Advance
Obtain advantages, such as points, etc.;
The home team was gaining ground
After defeating the Knicks, the Blazers pulled ahead of the Lakers in the battle for the number-one playoff berth in the Western Conference
Advance
Develop in a positive way;
He progressed well in school
My plants are coming along
Plans are shaping up
Advance
Develop further;
We are advancing technology every day
Advance
Give a promotion to or assign to a higher position;
John was kicked upstairs when a replacement was hired
Women tend not to advance in the major law firms
I got promoted after many years of hard work
Advance
Pay in advance;
Can you advance me some money?
Advance
Move forward;
We have to advance clocks and watches when we travel eastward
Advance
Rise in rate or price;
The stock market gained 24 points today
Advance
Being ahead of time or need;
Gave advance warning
Was beforehand with her report
Advance
Situated ahead or going before;
An advance party
At that time the most advanced outpost was still east of the Rockies
FAQs
Can advance imply elevation in rank?
Yes, to advance can also mean to be promoted or elevated in rank or status.
Is being ahead always the result of one’s own actions?
Not necessarily; one could be ahead due to external factors or others’ actions.
Can advance be used as a noun?
Yes, advance can be a noun representing forward movement or progression.
Can something be ahead in time?
Yes, ahead can refer to something being in the future or forthcoming.
Can ahead be used to refer to location?
Yes, ahead can denote being in a forward location or direction.
Does ahead require comparison?
Often, yes. Ahead usually implies being in front or further along compared to others or a set point.
Can advance refer to payment?
Yes, an advance can refer to a payment made before it’s due.
Can you advance an argument?
Yes, advancing an argument means putting it forward for consideration or discussion.
Can advance mean progress or development?
Yes, advance can represent development, improvement, or progression in a field or activity.
Does ahead always mean physically in front?
No, ahead can also refer to being further along in time or development.
Does being ahead imply winning?
Being ahead can imply having a lead or advantage, but it doesn’t necessarily mean winning.
Is an advance in technology always about current developments?
Not necessarily; it could also refer to past developments or improvements in technology.
Is advancing always positive?
Not necessarily; advancing can be neutral and depends on context, like an advancing storm.
Is advancing deliberate?
Often, yes. Advancing usually implies intentional and purposeful forward movement or progression.
Can ahead signify a leading position in ranking?
Yes, being ahead can signify holding a leading position in a ranking or competition.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
