proceed to lay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "proceed to lay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating the next step in a process, particularly in formal or instructional contexts. Example: "After gathering all necessary materials, we will proceed to lay the foundation for the new building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In practice, you probably would not think the steps through explicitly, but would simply look at a picture of the desired result and proceed to lay out the tiles to duplicate the picture.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

With little experience and with less learning, I have been able to throw my thoughts hastily and imperfectly together; and trusting to your patient and generous indulgence, I will proceed to lay them before you.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He proceeded to lay out a number of actions the Bank of Japan could take.

The New York Times - Magazine

He proceeded to lay out a strategy that was a microcosm of the gamble Mr. Karzai's government and his American backers appear to be taking across Afghanistan.

The New York Times

We then proceeded to lay it out in Minecraft and slowly build upwards, adapting and accommodating that plan to the city as it developed".

The Guardian

We kicked off with MrPikeBishop - eulogised today by G2's pro-columnist Catherine Bennett - who revealed himself as the impressively-bearded Frank Fisher and proceeded to lay into Amnesty International.

The Guardian - Opinion

He turned on his own recorder to tape our conversation and then proceeded to lay out some of his problems with how Harris was spending the city's money.

The New York Times - Magazine

The assembled cyclists listened to some words from two of the organisers, Donnachadh McCarthy and Steve Routley and then proceeded to lay down on the pavement and cover themselves with sheets for the die-in.

The Guardian

"England is under the rule of a patriarchy," she declares on about page 30, and then proceeds to lay bare the structure of male privilege and female exclusion – from independence, income and education.

The Guardian - Books

Clinton fired back and proceeded to lay out all the hypothetical reasons that Trump, who has claimed he is under a tax inspector's audit, was not releasing his tax returns.

The Guardian

He proceeded to lay bare not only the patron-client transactions that influenced the making of a work of art, but also something he called "the period eye": the act of perception determined by social circumstances.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "proceed to lay", ensure it logically follows a previous action or statement. The phrase indicates a sequential step.

Common error

Avoid using "proceed to lay" if there isn't a clear preceding action or context. It can sound disjointed without proper setup.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proceed to lay" functions as a verb phrase indicating the start of an action, often following a preparatory step or explanation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "proceed to lay" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to indicate the commencement of an action, often after a preparatory step. As per Ludwig AI analysis, this phrase is correct. It is most commonly found in news, media, and scientific writing, indicating a formal register. While not as common as simpler alternatives, it effectively signals a transition to a subsequent action, such as "laying out" information or physically "laying" something down. When employing this phrase, writers should ensure a logical sequence to avoid disjointedness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue to set forth

More formal and emphasizes a detailed presentation of information.

go on to explain

Focuses on the act of explaining something further.

move on to present

Emphasizes the transition to presenting something new.

then begin to

Highlights the start of an action or process.

subsequently start to

More formal and indicates a later start after something else.

thereafter commence to

Very formal and emphasizes a chronological sequence.

next undertake to

Highlights undertaking a task after a previous step.

thereupon set about to

Indicates an immediate action following a previous event.

later start laying

Focuses specifically on the action of 'laying' something after a delay.

afterward proceed with

Emphasizes continuation but with a slight variation in phrasing.

FAQs

How can I use "proceed to lay" in a sentence?

You can use "proceed to lay" to indicate the next step in a process, such as, "After the introduction, we will proceed to lay out the main points."

What are some alternatives to "proceed to lay"?

Alternatives include "go on to explain", "move on to present", or "continue to set forth", depending on the specific context.

Is "proceed to lay" formal or informal?

"Proceed to lay" tends to be more formal. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "next" or "then" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "proceed to lay" and "continue to lay"?

"Proceed to lay" implies a start of the action after a pause or transition, while "continue to lay" suggests an ongoing action. The best choice depends on the intended nuance.