proceed at once

USAGE SUMMARY

"proceed at once" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a sense of urgency. For example, "Proceed at once to investigate the issue!".

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The board voted unanimously to name the highway for Reid and to proceed "at once" to conclude construction.

Wikipedia

If the workers are deprived of queen substance, they proceed at once to build queen cells and feed the young larvae with a special salivary secretion known as royal jelly that results in the production of new queens.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The literature on the subject is so abundant that I shall not attempt to discuss it, but proceed at once with the discussion of data concerning the patients who have been under our care.

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In 703 Marduk-apal-iddina again crowned himself king with the aid of Elam, proceeding at once to ally himself with other enemies of Assyria.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In spite of his assurances that Anschluss would not affect Germany's relations with Czechoslovakia, Hitler proceeded at once with his plans against that country.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Rather than play the superfluous 16 f3?!, he should have proceeded at once to set up a defense with 16 O-O Ng8 17 Qd2 Nf6 18 Bd3 Nh5 19 Ne2, which at least lets his king bishop take part.

The New York Times

The assistant division commander, Brigadier General Garrison H. Davidson, proceeding at once by jeep, arrived at Kyongju that evening.

Wikipedia

Alternatively, and we feel more likely, processive resection of all breaks may proceed at a similar rate once initiated, but may initiate stochastically, at a slower rate.

EMBO Journal

Once they have passed through a scanner in a flimsy-looking prefab building, visitors proceed at their own pace.

The New York Times

So proceed at your own risk.

The New York Times

If not, proceed at your own risk.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "proceed at once" to convey a sense of urgency and directness, especially in formal instructions or historical narratives. For instance, "Upon receiving the message, the general ordered the troops to "proceed at once" to the designated location."

Common error

Avoid using "proceed at once" in casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or unnatural. Opt for simpler alternatives like "start now" or "begin immediately" to maintain a more relaxed tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proceed at once" functions as an imperative, typically used to issue a command or instruction that requires immediate action. Ludwig examples show it used in historical context and in instructions to highlight the urgency of the situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "proceed at once" is a grammatically correct imperative used to convey a sense of immediate action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While it appears most frequently in encyclopedias, news & media, and wiki articles, its formal tone makes it less suitable for casual conversation. If a less formal tone is needed, consider using alternatives like "begin immediately" or "start right away". Remember to reserve "proceed at once" for situations where urgency and formality are both important.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin immediately

Replaces "proceed" with "begin" and maintains the sense of immediacy.

start forthwith

"Forthwith" adds a stronger sense of urgency and formality compared to "at once".

initiate directly

Focuses on the initiation aspect with a sense of no delay.

commence without delay

More formal, replacing "proceed" with "commence" and "at once" with "without delay".

get started immediately

More conversational and emphasizes initiation of the action.

take action now

Shifts focus to the act of taking action with present urgency.

move forward immediately

Emphasizes progression and immediate continuation.

act without hesitation

Highlights the lack of hesitation in taking action.

execute promptly

Focuses on the execution of a task in a timely manner.

spring into action

Suggests a sudden and energetic start.

FAQs

How can I use "proceed at once" in a sentence?

Use "proceed at once" to indicate that an action should be started immediately. For example, "The captain instructed the crew to "proceed at once" with the repairs."

What is a more formal alternative to "proceed at once"?

A more formal alternative would be to say "commence immediately" or "begin forthwith". These options emphasize urgency in a very formal way.

What's a less formal alternative to "proceed at once"?

Less formal alternatives include phrases like "start right away" or "begin immediately". These are more suitable for casual conversations.

Is "proceed at once" always appropriate, or are there situations where it should be avoided?

While grammatically correct, "proceed at once" is quite formal and may sound unnatural in everyday conversation. Use it when a sense of urgency and formality is needed.