began to proceed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "began to proceed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the initiation of an action or process that follows a previous event or decision. Example: "After the meeting concluded, the team began to proceed with the project implementation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Following the negotiations, the recovery efforts began to proceed in a faster, more organized manner.

Harvard University

It finally began to proceed, but as it did, I rolled forward an inch while still standing.

The Guardian

At the appointed hour, Mr. Christensen, who played the young Anakin Skywalker in "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones," and "Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith," began to proceed slowly down the line.

The New York Times - Science

After a few cars had passed, the Google AV began to proceed back into the center lane to pass the sand bags.

TechCrunch

By this time, protons and neutrons had cooled sufficiently so that the nuclear reactions between them began to proceed in a single direction, toward the buildup of heavier nuclei.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

By noon, Campbell had landed his army and began to proceed cautiously toward the city.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

This indicates that minor number of sulphur conversion reactions proceeds using the oxidant (air) and the increase of grain size causes their retardation because these reactions begin to proceed in the internal diffusion area.

International Journal of Coal Science & Technology

When vegetables begin to brown proceed to next step.

The New York Times

Gov. Bill Richardson's withdrawal on Sunday as the choice for commerce secretary in an Obama cabinet brings an outsize political personality back to a small town in a small state, both of which had already begun planning to proceed without him.

The New York Times

Or they can begin motions to proceed on their own set of bills.

Huffington Post

''It would simply spiral down, without a whole lot of investment from outside.'' Gates began to use the proceeds from the sales of his artwork to buy up properties.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "began to proceed" to clearly indicate the starting point of a process or action after a certain condition or event has been met. It's useful for creating a sense of sequential order in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "began to proceed" when another verb already implies a start or continuation. For example, instead of "The project began to proceed forward", simply write "The project began to move forward" or "The project proceeded forward".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began to proceed" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of an action or process. It suggests that something has started to move forward or continue after a certain point. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase is used in various contexts, confirming its grammatical function.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "began to proceed" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a verb phrase to indicate the commencement of an action or process after a certain event, carrying a neutral register. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Academic contexts. While effective, it's important to avoid redundancy and consider more concise alternatives like "started" or "commenced" depending on the context and desired emphasis on continuation. Ludwig's examples provide valuable insights into its diverse applications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started moving forward

Emphasizes the commencement of forward movement, replacing "proceed" with a simpler directional phrase.

started to continue

Replaces "began" with "started" and "proceed" with "continue", emphasizing the commencement of ongoing action.

started to go ahead

Substitutes "proceed" with "go ahead", indicating permission or willingness to continue.

commenced to advance

Substitutes "began" with "commenced" and "proceed" with "advance", suggesting a more formal start toward progress.

initiated the progression

Replaces the verb phrase with a noun-focused phrase, highlighting the start of a sequence or development.

set about advancing

Uses "set about" to indicate the beginning of an action and replaces "proceed" with "advancing", indicating forward movement.

undertook to progress

Employs "undertook" to signify the start of a task and replaces "proceed" with "progress", pointing to development.

embarked on proceeding

Uses "embarked on" to describe starting a journey or activity, retaining the core meaning of 'proceeding'.

began the next stage

Highlights the start of a new phase in a process, replacing "proceed" with a reference to sequential stages.

initiated further action

Focuses on beginning an additional step or action, replacing "proceed" with a broader term for action.

FAQs

How can I use "began to proceed" in a sentence?

You can use "began to proceed" to describe the start of an action or process, often after a specific condition has been met. For example: "After the rain stopped, the construction team "began to proceed" with laying the foundation".

What are some alternatives to "began to proceed"?

Alternatives include "started to continue", "commenced to advance", or "initiated the progression". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is there a difference between "began to proceed" and "started to proceed"?

While both phrases are similar, "began to proceed" may imply a more formal or deliberate commencement. The choice often depends on the tone you want to convey. "Started to proceed" might be slightly more conversational.

When is it best to use "began to proceed" over a simpler phrase like "started"?

Use "began to proceed" when you want to emphasize not just the start, but also the continuation or progression of an action or process. It adds a layer of meaning beyond a simple beginning. If the continuation aspect is not important, "started" or "commenced" might be sufficient.