proceed smoothly

USAGE SUMMARY

"proceed smoothly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a process or event that is happening without any problems. For example: "The negotiations proceeded smoothly and both sides were able to reach a satisfactory agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Shell expects this deal to proceed smoothly.

The New York Times

Sentences proceed smoothly from start to finish.

The New York Times

Work did not proceed smoothly, however.

The Guardian - Tech

Our honeymoon still refused to proceed smoothly.

The Guardian - Travel

Selig was irate because he had expected the vote on realignment to proceed smoothly.

The New York Times - Sports

You can be sure that the process of transforming sink estates is unlikely to proceed smoothly.

The Guardian

While politics may limp and falter, business must be allowed to proceed smoothly.

The Guardian - Opinion

The rest of it is just window-dressing or steps to enable privatisation to proceed smoothly.

The Guardian

Everyone in Colombo — the authorities, the police, the onlookers— cooperated to allow the shooting to proceed smoothly.

The New York Times

There are exceptions, like the Simpson and Woodward trials, but the vast majority of televised trials proceed smoothly, without fuss.

The Economist

"Yet no one can guarantee that future resolutions of systemically important firms will proceed smoothly or predictably".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "proceed smoothly", ensure the context clearly indicates what process or event is being described. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While "proceed smoothly" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in very informal settings. Consider more casual alternatives like "go off without a hitch" or "run like clockwork" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proceed smoothly" primarily functions as a verb phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the manner in which an action or process occurs. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage in describing events that unfold without problems. It often emphasizes efficiency and lack of disruption.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "proceed smoothly" is a frequently used phrase that describes a process or event unfolding without problems. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its prevalence in news, scientific, and encyclopedia contexts. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, as Ludwig AI confirms, it may not be ideal for extremely informal settings. Consider alternatives such as "go off without a hitch" or "run like clockwork" in those cases. The phrase is useful for clearly and neutrally conveying the successful progression of events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go off without a hitch

Replaces "proceed" with a more informal idiom emphasizing the absence of problems.

run like clockwork

Suggests a high degree of precision and efficiency in the process.

unfold seamlessly

Emphasizes the lack of disruption or difficulty in the progression.

advance without difficulty

Focuses on the ease and lack of obstacles in moving forward.

progress effortlessly

Highlights the absence of strain or exertion in the advancement.

continue without incident

Stresses the absence of notable or problematic events during the process.

develop without complications

Draws attention to the absence of complex or problematic factors.

transpire swimmingly

Replaces "proceed smoothly" with a more casual and colloquial expression.

flow without interruption

Emphasizes the continuous and unbroken nature of the process.

move forward unimpeded

Focuses on the lack of obstacles hindering progress.

FAQs

How can I use "proceed smoothly" in a sentence?

You can use "proceed smoothly" to describe a process or event that is happening without any problems. For example, "The negotiations "proceed smoothly" and both sides were able to reach a satisfactory agreement."

What are some alternatives to "proceed smoothly"?

You can use alternatives like "go off without a hitch", "run like clockwork", or "unfold seamlessly", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "proceed smoothly" in writing?

The phrase "proceed smoothly" is appropriate in a variety of contexts, from formal reports to news articles, where a neutral and clear description of an event's progression is needed. It is less suitable for very informal or casual writing, where more conversational alternatives may be preferred.

Which sources commonly use the phrase "proceed smoothly"?

The phrase "proceed smoothly" is frequently used in news media such as The New York Times and The Guardian, as well as in scientific and encyclopedia articles, indicating its acceptance in both journalistic and academic writing.