proceed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'proceed' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to mean 'continue' or 'go forward.' For example: After the bell rang, the students proceeded to their next class.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There is... a total lack of clarity as to how a government would proceed to unravel a relationship that has developed in complexity over more than 40 years.

The Guardian

Waters said while Unesco's world heritage committee would welcome the end to offshore dredge dumping, it would "not be impressed" with the fact Abbot Point itself would proceed.

The Guardian

He said: "Some are saying we ought to proceed with the case... some are saying we must push through and get a date".

The Guardian

"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

Andrew Mitchell, the former Tory chief whip who is leading negotiations to try and broker a deal between the government and the rebels, told MPs: "The government is absolutely right to proceed with caution on the human rights legislation as outlined today.

The Guardian

Nor do you see many cars flash on to a footpath behind a tight knot of pedestrians and proceed to ring their bell furiously until everyone jumps out of their way.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The company said: "The outlook for Wizz Air's business remains extremely positive and unaffected by the decision not to proceed with an IPO".

The Guardian - Business

Unfortunately, at this stage of the litigation, the pleading standards limit Barclays' ability to rebut those factual errors – but should this litigation proceed to the next stages, Barclays will introduce evidence demonstrating how far off base these allegations are".

The Guardian - Business

In 2014, a vote on the USA Freedom Act received the support of 58 senators, two short of the 60 votes needed to end debate and proceed to a final vote.

The Guardian

The two decide that they should have sex with each other's mothers ("if doing it is wrong I don't wanna be right") and proceed to do so.

The Guardian

Once taken out of Homan Square and into police districts, Chicagoans caught in the justice system proceed to the fortress-like Cook County jail on 26th and California, run by the Cook County sheriff's department.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "proceed" when you want to emphasize a formal or orderly continuation, such as in legal, business, or official contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "proceed" in very informal contexts where a simpler word like "go" or "continue" would be more appropriate. Overusing "proceed" can make your writing sound unnecessarily stilted.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "proceed" is as an intransitive verb, indicating the act of moving forward, continuing, or originating from a source. Ludwig confirms its proper usage across numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

26%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "proceed" is a versatile verb indicating continuation or movement forward, often used in formal contexts. Ludwig's AI confirms its correct grammatical standing. While frequently appearing in news, business, and scientific writing, it's less common in informal settings. When choosing alternatives, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, such as a sustained action ("continue") or overcoming an obstacle ("move forward"). Overall, "proceed" is a valuable term to enhance clarity and formality in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue

This alternative implies uninterrupted continuation of an action or state.

move forward

Emphasizes progression and overcoming obstacles.

advance

This suggests forward movement, often toward a specific goal or objective.

carry on

This suggests continuing a task or activity, often despite difficulties.

progress

Suggests steady improvement or development over time.

go ahead

Implies permission or encouragement to start or continue an action.

press on

This conveys a sense of determination to continue despite challenges.

keep going

Offers encouragement to maintain momentum.

move along

Implies a smooth transition or continuation.

get on with

Suggests resuming activity after an interruption.

FAQs

How do you use "proceed" in a sentence?

You can use "proceed" to indicate moving forward or continuing with something. For instance, "We will "proceed" with the meeting after a short break" or "The investigation will "proceed" as planned".

What are some synonyms for "proceed"?

Alternatives to "proceed" include "continue", "advance", "carry on", "move forward", and "go ahead". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "proceed with" or "continue with"?

"Proceed with" and "continue with" are similar, but "proceed with" often implies a more formal or planned action. "Continue with" ("continue with") is generally more versatile and can be used in a wider range of situations.

When is it not appropriate to use "proceed"?

While "proceed" is grammatically correct, it might sound overly formal in casual conversation. In such cases, consider using simpler alternatives such as "go ahead", "continue", or "start" depending on the intended meaning.