ease proceedings

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ease proceedings" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to making a process or situation smoother or less complicated. Example: "To ensure a successful negotiation, we must find ways to ease proceedings and foster a collaborative atmosphere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Many of us will have reached for the occasional alcoholic beverage to ease proceedings along.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

On occasion, espadrilles (a sartorial leftover from the Basque game of pelota) would lend a welcome — if sometimes ankle-wrenching — sense of ease to the proceedings.

The New York Times - Style

And to anyone watching the events unfold, there seemed to be a strange ease to the proceedings — a huddled but calm mass of unscathed passengers lifted out of the river by the mammoth wing of a dead airplane, waiting to go home.

The New Yorker

On their last visit here – a 5-2 vintOctober 2008er 2008 – Arsenal raced into a 3-1 lead inside 21 minutes but this time they looked to ease their way into proceedings with a more considered approach.

Independent

Ease your way into proceedings with beers and starters: the crispy confit duck wings with red dragon sauce (A$12/£7) are great for sharing, as are the hand-cut fries with malt vinegar aioli (A$6/£3.50).

The Guardian - Travel

Some legal experts said the decision could benefit the officers in the event of an acquittal, because the open nature of the proceedings could ease pressure on the federal government to bring civil rights charges if the public watched and believed the trial was fair.

The New York Times

Les Sampson, who had seen Logan multiple times in the past and attended the sentencing, found it hard to recognize the former Mountie who stood for most of the proceedings to ease a back injury caused by a car collision with a moose in the Canadian north.

Vice

As both teams cautiously eased their way into proceedings, it was the visitors who had the first notable try on goal, with Tjaronn Cherry getting himself in space, only to scuff his shot into the grateful arms of Jamie Langfield.

BBC

Ida sits and watches the proceedings ill at ease.

The Guardian - Film

Jadeja settled proceedings with preposterous ease though Karun Nair, the triple centurion, was declared the man of a match that should have been consigned to the record books as a quirky run-fest.

The Guardian - Sport

The programmers of the Venice Film Festival haven't eased us gently into this year's proceedings: they've thrown us in head first.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ease proceedings", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific actions or elements are being simplified or made less difficult. For example, "To ensure a successful negotiation, we must find ways to "ease proceedings" and foster a collaborative atmosphere".

Common error

While "ease proceedings" is grammatically correct, it may sound overly formal in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "make it easier" or "help things go smoothly" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ease proceedings" functions as a verb phrase where "ease" acts as a verb meaning to alleviate or make less difficult and "proceedings" is the noun that is the object of the verb. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, suggesting its suitability for describing actions that simplify a process.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ease proceedings" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that means to make a process smoother or less complicated. Ludwig AI validates its accurate usage. Primarily found in news and media contexts, the phrase is suitable for formal writing and professional communication. While there are several alternative phrases like "facilitate progress" or "streamline the process", "ease proceedings" is a solid choice when aiming for a professional tone. However, avoiding overuse in informal conversation is recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

facilitate progress

Focuses on aiding the forward movement of a process, emphasizing active support.

streamline the process

Highlights efficiency and removing unnecessary steps in the process.

expedite the process

Stresses the acceleration of the process, aiming for a faster completion.

smooth the progress

Emphasizes removing obstacles and creating a more seamless flow.

simplify the process

Focuses on making the process less complex and easier to understand.

aid the proceedings

Offers a more general way to indicate helping or assisting with the process.

assist the proceedings

Similar to 'aid', but may imply a more supportive or secondary role.

advance the proceedings

Highlights moving the process forward, often suggesting strategic actions.

accelerate progress

Focuses on speeding up the process, pushing for quicker results.

promote the proceedings

Indicates actively supporting and encouraging the process to move forward.

FAQs

How can I use "ease proceedings" in a sentence?

You can use "ease proceedings" to describe actions that simplify or facilitate a process, as in, "The mediator's suggestions helped to "ease proceedings" and bring the negotiation to a close."

What are some alternatives to "ease proceedings"?

Alternatives include "facilitate progress", "streamline the process", or "smooth the progress", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "ease proceedings" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "ease proceedings" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in contexts such as legal, business, or academic settings where a degree of formality is expected.

What is the difference between "ease proceedings" and "expedite the process"?

"Ease proceedings" generally refers to making a process less difficult or more manageable, while "expedite the process" specifically means to accelerate or speed up the process.