clearance to proceed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clearance to proceed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts where permission is granted to move forward with a task or action, often in formal or operational settings. Example: "The pilot received clearance to proceed with takeoff after the safety checks were completed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The fifth bidder was given clearance to proceed with an offer.

The New York Times

The Food and Drug Administration accepted the committee's advice and Avigen said last month that it had received clearance to proceed with the trial.

The New York Times - Science

Six hundred feet ahead of Mr. Bravo, around a sharp curve, stood a No. 4 train, waiting for clearance to proceed into the yard to be washed.

The New York Times

The city secured $66 million in regional funding last summer and a few months later received federal clearance to proceed to construction.

The Washington Post

The ruling by Vice Chancellor Leo E. Strine Jr. gave Hollinger International's board clearance to proceed with an auction of newspapers like The Daily Telegraph of London and The Chicago Sun-Times over Lord Black's objections.

The New York Times

Mr. Bravo's train had just been given permission to pass a red signal north of the 238th Street station and was heading toward the 239th Street yard for the night when it struck the train driven by Mr. Davis, which was waiting 600 feet ahead for clearance to proceed into the yard.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

* Rubbermaid Inc., Wooster, Ohio, a rubber and plastic goods concern, and Eldon Industries, Inglewood, Calif., an office products company, said they received regulatory clearances to proceed with the previously announced acquisition of Eldon Industries by Rubbermaid.

The New York Times

"We're awaiting final clearance from the S.E.C. to proceed with the separation," Mr. Herley said.

The New York Times

SpaceX and Iridium had previously been looking at December 16 as a potential return-to-flight date for this mission, but both parties still need clearance from the FAA to proceed with the launch.

TechCrunch

The move has the added benefit of giving clearance for the agency to proceed on plans to bridge the nation's digital divide and invite more consumer choice into a broadband marketplace dominated by too few players.

Huffington Post

This lack of affinity for ETB suggests that ZD4054 has the potential to block the multiple pathological processes in malignancy that are mediated by ETA, while allowing the beneficial processes mediated by ETB, such as apoptosis and clearance of ET-1, to proceed.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clearance to proceed" when you want to indicate that official permission has been granted for an action or project. This phrase is appropriate for formal and semi-formal contexts.

Common error

Don't assume "clearance to proceed" implies unconditional approval. It often signifies permission to start, but not necessarily a guarantee of success or completion. Always check for further requirements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clearance to proceed" functions as a noun phrase acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It often denotes permission or authorization for an action. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its examples, showing the phrase's integration into diverse sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clearance to proceed" is a phrase used to indicate that permission or authorization has been granted to begin or continue with an action, project, or process. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found in news, wiki, and scientific contexts. Its register is generally professional, making it suitable for formal communication. The phrase conveys that obstacles have been removed, enabling action to commence, although it does not guarantee success. When writing, ensure that "clearance to proceed" accurately reflects that official permission has been granted. Alternatives such as "authorization to continue" or "permission to advance" can be used depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

authorization to continue

Replaces "clearance" with "authorization" and "proceed" with "continue", emphasizing the permission aspect.

permission to advance

Substitutes "clearance" with "permission" and "proceed" with "advance", altering the tone slightly.

authorization to go ahead

Substitutes "proceed" with the phrasal verb "go ahead", keeping the meaning consistent.

sanction to continue

Replaces "clearance" with "sanction", implying a more formal authorization.

license to proceed

Employs "license" in place of "clearance", suggesting a formal right or permission.

approval to move forward

Uses "approval" instead of "clearance" and "move forward" in place of "proceed", creating a more descriptive alternative.

green light to proceed

Replaces "clearance" with a more idiomatic "green light", maintaining the original meaning.

all clear to advance

Uses "all clear" to signify permission, offering a slightly different nuance.

go-ahead for continuation

Nominalizes the phrase, changing "proceed" to "continuation" and using "go-ahead" instead of "clearance".

okay to proceed

A more informal option, replacing "clearance" with "okay".

FAQs

What does "clearance to proceed" mean?

The phrase "clearance to proceed" means that permission or authorization has been granted to begin or continue with a particular action, project, or process.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "clearance to proceed"?

It is appropriate to use "clearance to proceed" in formal or semi-formal contexts where official permission is required. This includes business, legal, aviation, and construction settings, among others.

What are some alternatives to "clearance to proceed"?

Some alternatives to "clearance to proceed" include "authorization to continue", "permission to advance", "approval to move forward", or "green light to proceed". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "clearance to proceed" the same as "approval to proceed"?

While similar, "clearance" often implies a formal check or review process has been completed, whereas "approval" may indicate a simpler granting of permission. Thus, "clearance to proceed" may suggest a more rigorous process than "approval to proceed".