Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
cleared to proceed
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"cleared to proceed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone or something has been given permission to proceed with a specific action. For example, "The team was cleared to proceed with the project."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
Connecticut Execution Is Cleared to Proceed The United States Supreme Court rejected two last-minute efforts to postpone Connecticut's execution of a convicted serial killer, clearing the way for the first execution in New England in 45 years.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
57 human-written examples
The Michigan testing is clear to proceed after state governor Rick Snyder signed into law legislation that allows expanded testing of autonomous vehicles on public roads by companies and organizations.
News & Media
To drill, baby, drill: Federal officials have conditionally cleared Shell to proceed with an ambitious oil and gas drilling plan in the U.S. Arctic.
News & Media
The agency said that its personnel had cleared the train to proceed over a frozen switch.
News & Media
An inspector general's report released Thursday cleared the program to proceed but said the federal motor carrier safety agency had not completed plans for checking "every truck, every time" they cross the border as planned.
News & Media
And in Seoul, the South Korean government was left struggling to find the right response, as President Lee Myung-bak found himself with no clear way to proceed despite his past vows to take a hard line against the North.
News & Media
It should be watching very closely as the drama unfolds, and making every effort to support a constructive outcome by indicating its clear willingness to proceed along a constructive course if the United States is enabled to play its full part.
News & Media
"It's quite clear the government did not have a clear plan how to proceed on this and made it up as they went along," he said.
News & Media
In contrast, patients seem comparatively clear about how to proceed.
Science
(One of the machine's designers, Sigi Moeslinger, purposely made this finger abnormally big to make it exceedingly clear to users how to proceed).
News & Media
The legal findings clear the way for prosecutors to proceed with testimony on whether the former nurse, Kristen Gilbert, should be sentenced to life in prison or to death.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "cleared to proceed" when you want to emphasize that a formal approval or authorization has been granted, and any previous obstacles have been resolved.
Common error
Avoid using "cleared to proceed" when the action is only tentatively approved or still requires further validation. The phrase implies a definitive green light.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "cleared to proceed" functions as a declarative statement indicating that permission or authorization has been granted for a specific action or process to commence or continue. It signifies that any prior obstacles have been overcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard and usable phrase in English.
Frequent in
News & Media
50%
Science
25%
Formal & Business
12%
Less common in
Wiki
6%
Encyclopedias
4%
Reference
3%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "cleared to proceed" is a common and grammatically correct English expression used to indicate that permission or authorization has been granted for an action to begin or continue. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, science, and formal communication. While it implies a formal approval, it's important to ensure that the approval is definitive and not merely tentative. Consider alternative phrases like "authorized to begin" or "given the green light" to suit the specific context. "Cleared to proceed" carries a neutral register, making it suitable for various communication styles.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
authorized to begin
Focuses on the authorization aspect, implying permission has been granted to start something.
given the green light
An idiomatic expression conveying approval and permission to move forward.
permitted to continue
Emphasizes the permission aspect for an ongoing action.
approved to start
Similar to authorized to begin but with a slightly more formal tone.
sanctioned to advance
Implies official endorsement or approval to progress.
allowed to move forward
A more general way of saying permission has been granted to continue.
given clearance to act
Highlights the removal of obstacles, allowing action to be taken.
okayed to initiate
Suggests a formal approval to start a process or project.
passed to continue
Indicates a stage has been successfully completed, enabling continuation.
free to commence
Highlights the liberty to start without impediments.
FAQs
How can I use "cleared to proceed" in a sentence?
You can use "cleared to proceed" to indicate that someone or something has been given permission to continue. For example: "The project has been "given the green light" and is now "cleared to proceed"".
What is an alternative to "cleared to proceed"?
Alternatives to "cleared to proceed" include "authorized to begin", "given the green light", or "permitted to continue", depending on the specific context.
When is it appropriate to use "cleared to proceed"?
"Cleared to proceed" is appropriate when a formal process or authority has granted permission for an action to begin or continue. It suggests that any previous obstacles have been resolved.
What does it mean for something to be "cleared to proceed"?
When something is "cleared to proceed", it means it has received the necessary approvals or permissions and is now allowed to move forward without further impediments. It implies that all prior conditions have been met.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested