may we proceed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may we proceed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to seek permission or confirmation to continue with a task or discussion. Example: "Before we move on to the next agenda item, may we proceed with the current topic?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Do you have any reservations, or may we proceed with the recommended purchase?

Huffington Post

May we proceed?" Mr Anderson then picked up a red phone in the execution chamber, an open line to the justice department's command centre, and asked permission to go ahead.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

If need may be, we proceed through the last secondary iteration.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

So far, so clear: Mr Obama may attack if we proceed towards nuclear weapons.

The Economist

Moreover, stopping it was in America's national interest, not just in Israel's, and to this end all options, including military ones, were on the table.So far, so clear: Mr Obama may attack if we proceed towards nuclear weapons.

The Economist

By a similar argument in [9] we may proceed; we omit the details here.

Boundary Value Problems

As we proceed, we may still obtain the results that robust problem (6) can be reformulated as QCQP or convex program under suitably defined uncertain sets.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

But before we proceed, it may be helpful to note that we are less likely to be present when we are leaning either into the future or the past.

Huffington Post

Depending on what the data show, and what realistic assumptions we can make, we may proceed to a cost-utility analysis and undertake extensive probabilistic sensitivity analysis.

BMJ Open

"We hope this is accepted so that we may proceed with due diligence forthwith and make a start to the task of rebuilding Rangers Football Club of 1872".

The Guardian - Sport

So we may proceed by induction with (3.7), and then one may easily deduce the following lemma.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may we proceed" when seeking formal approval or confirmation before continuing with a task, especially in professional or official settings. It implies deference and respect for authority or established procedures.

Common error

Avoid using "may we proceed" when you simply want to know if something is possible. "May" indicates permission, while "can" indicates ability. If you're unsure if it's possible to continue due to technical limitations, it's more appropriate to ask "can we proceed?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may we proceed" functions as an interrogative used to formally request permission or confirmation to continue with a task or discussion. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may we proceed" is a grammatically correct phrase used to formally request permission or confirmation to continue with an action. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate in professional or official settings where politeness and respect for protocol are necessary. While "may we proceed" is a less frequent expression, it can be effectively substituted with phrases like "shall we continue" or "can we move forward" depending on the desired level of formality and the specific context. When considering to use the phrase, it's best to avoid situations where ability is questioned instead of authorisation and consider using "can" rather than "may".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shall we continue

This alternative offers a direct suggestion to continue, differing from seeking explicit permission.

can we move forward

This phrase directly asks about advancing to the next stage, rather than general continuation.

should we proceed

This suggests a need for confirmation based on advisability, not just permission.

are we clear to proceed

This alternative seeks confirmation that there are no obstacles to continuing.

is it okay to continue

This phrase requests simple approval for continuing, making it less formal.

do we have permission to proceed

This alternative explicitly asks if authorization is granted.

can we begin

This alternative proposes starting an activity rather than continuing one.

are we ready to begin

This checks for preparedness before starting, adding a conditional element.

shall we start

This is a more direct way to propose beginning an activity, with less formality.

are you ready

This checks readiness from the other party involved to start, less direct than an invitation to start.

FAQs

How do I use "may we proceed" in a sentence?

"May we proceed" is typically used as a question to ask for permission or confirmation to continue with a task or discussion, often in formal settings. For example: "Now that the initial data has been reviewed, may we proceed with the analysis?"

What can I say instead of "may we proceed"?

You can use alternatives like "shall we continue", "can we move forward", or "are we clear to proceed" depending on the context.

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

It's appropriate to use "may we proceed" in situations where you need explicit permission or confirmation before taking the next step, such as in a meeting, a legal proceeding, or when following a specific protocol. It is a formal expression, so consider the setting.

What's the difference between "may we proceed" and "can we proceed"?

"May we proceed" asks for permission to continue, while "can we proceed" inquires about the ability or feasibility of continuing. "May" is about authorization, whereas "can" is about capability.