may proceed with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'may proceed with' is correct and is used in written English.
It is used to express permission to continue with a task or activity. Example: We may proceed with the meeting now that everyone has arrived.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If the Pavilions succeed, Target may proceed with more experiments in affordable prefabricated Michael Graves houses.

The New York Times

In 25 others, they are optional and prosecutors may proceed with charges themselves.

The Guardian

The lithospheric thinning may proceed with gradual upward migration of the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary.

Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Part A: Solid Earth and Geodesy

But without a sale, the corporations may proceed with plans for development.

The New York Times

We will let you know if you may proceed with your proposed essay by March 10.

University of California, Berkeley

"Please advise if we may proceed with the work and if you will be taking care of EDD cases".

The Guardian

If you are the sole author of your dissertation, you may proceed with single-author copyright registration through ProQuest/UMI.

Columbia University

No new dates for the openings have been announced, and the museums may proceed with a new agenda.

The Economist

If Black castles early, White may proceed with a mating attack by h5, sacrificing a pawn to open the h line.

The New York Times

A federal judge has ruled that female drug sales workers for Novartis Pharmaceuticals may proceed with a class-action gender discrimination lawsuit against the company.

The New York Times

The Belgian government, Sabena's principal shareholder, may proceed with a monthlong bridge loan of 125 million euros ($113.5 million) to the airline on favorable terms, the commission said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may proceed with" when you want to formally grant permission or indicate that something is conditionally allowed to continue. Be mindful of the context to ensure it aligns with the level of formality.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "may proceed with" in casual conversation can sound overly formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "can continue" or "go ahead" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may proceed with" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating permission or possibility to continue or begin an action. Ludwig examples show it's used when someone is given authorization or clearance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may proceed with" is a modal verb phrase used to formally grant permission or indicate the possibility of continuing an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and is frequently found in formal contexts such as News & Media, Academia, and Science. While it's a common and correct phrase, it should be used judiciously, as less formal options might be more appropriate in casual settings. Several alternatives, such as "can continue with" or "move forward with", offer similar meanings while varying in formality. This phrase is a versatile tool for clearly communicating permission or conditional allowance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can move forward with

Focuses on the advancement of a plan or action.

can continue with

Indicates ability to continue, slightly less formal than the original.

are able to continue with

Highlights the capability to continue.

is allowed to proceed with

Similar to 'is permitted' but slightly less formal.

is free to continue with

Emphasizes the lack of restrictions on continuing.

is permitted to continue with

More formal and explicitly states permission.

are cleared to proceed with

Implies that any obstacles have been removed.

is authorized to proceed with

Suggests official approval or authorization.

is entitled to continue with

Suggests a right or entitlement to proceed.

has the green light to proceed with

Idiomatic expression indicating approval to start or continue.

FAQs

How can I use "may proceed with" in a sentence?

"May proceed with" is typically used to grant permission or indicate that it is permissible to continue an action. For instance, "After the inspection, you "may proceed with" the construction".

What's a less formal alternative to "may proceed with"?

In more casual settings, you could use phrases like "can continue", "go ahead", or "feel free to continue" instead of ""may proceed with"".

When is it appropriate to use "may proceed with"?

This phrase is suitable for formal communications, legal documents, or situations where you want to convey a sense of official permission. It's less common in everyday conversation.

What's the difference between "may proceed with" and "should proceed with"?

"May proceed with" indicates permission, while "should proceed with" suggests a recommendation or obligation. The former grants freedom of choice, whereas the latter implies a certain course of action is advisable.