proceed to say

USAGE SUMMARY

"proceed to say" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to move on to a different topic. For example, "I've already expressed my opinion on the matter. I will now proceed to say that I think the plan is too ambitious."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Evidently then such a principle is the most certain of all; which principle this is, let us proceed to say.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But everyone else in the tiny hamlet of Nether Bowston, in the picturesque county of Rutland, has much to say about the murders, and also about their narrow lives, and they proceed to say it in aria-like chapters that pretty much demolish all those tidy and reassuring conventions of the English country mystery.

The New York Times - Books

Before someone quotes or highlights or refers to another person's remarks, they preface it with, "I don't agree with everything but... .. then proceed to say something that they liked.

Huffington Post

It concluded, however, by saying how much it enjoyed the opera: "Having thus conscientiously discharged our duties as art-critics, let us at once proceed to say that H.M.S. Pinafore is an amusing piece of extravagance, and that the music floats it on merrily to the end".

Wikipedia

Astonishingly they then proceed to say that the lack of a statistical difference, in their own words, should be regarded as "an observed difference, which has not been proven yet, and needs an additional experiment or additional support".

Biology Direct

Your friend will eventually say "What are you looking at?" and you can proceed to say something comedic shortly after.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Manning smiled and proceeded to say nothing special or incendiary.

The New York Times - Sports

Anything would have been better for the A's than what Howe proceeded to say.

The New York Times - Sports

But he proceeded to say: "I think our game has been and will always be built around stars.

The New York Times - Sports

He proceeded to say checks would be made and intriguingly steered clear of defending his prosecutor general.

The Guardian

The driver then proceeded to say that she had a single daughter and left her phone number.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "proceed to say" to clearly signal a continuation of thought or a shift to another related point in your writing. This helps maintain logical flow and keeps the reader engaged.

Common error

Avoid using "proceed to say" too frequently in casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for more natural alternatives like "then I said" or "I went on to say" in such scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proceed to say" functions as a transitional phrase, indicating a continuation or a subsequent statement. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase is used to introduce what someone says next, often after an introduction or preamble. It helps in creating a logical flow within a text or speech.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

38%

News & Media

33%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "proceed to say" is a grammatically correct and useful way to indicate a continuation or subsequent statement, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's most commonly found in Wiki, News & Media and Academia, reflecting a neutral to formal register. While effective in providing a smooth transition in writing and speech, overuse in informal contexts should be avoided. Consider alternatives like "go on to say" or "then I said" for more casual settings. Remember to use "proceed to say" to enhance clarity and logical flow, especially in structured communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go on to say

Implies a direct continuation of speech or writing, similar to "proceed to say" but slightly more informal.

continue to state

Suggests a more formal continuation, emphasizing the act of stating something explicitly.

additionally mention

Highlights the addition of new information, slightly altering the focus from the act of proceeding.

furthermore articulate

Indicates a more elaborate and detailed expression of thoughts, increasing the level of formality.

then declare

Emphasizes a formal announcement or declaration following a previous statement.

subsequently remark

Highlights that the statement comes after a pause or interval, adding a temporal element.

next express

Focuses on the act of expressing a thought or feeling, rather than simply continuing to speak.

thereafter assert

Implies a strong, confident declaration following a previous point, increasing the level of certainty.

move on to explain

Shifts the focus to providing an explanation, rather than just making a statement.

follow up by saying

Indicates a response or clarification related to a previous statement, adding a conversational context.

FAQs

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

You can use "proceed to say" to introduce a subsequent statement. For example: "Having outlined the initial plan, I will now "go on to say" that we need additional resources."

What are some alternatives to "proceed to say"?

Alternatives include phrases like "continue to state", "furthermore articulate", or "follow up by saying" depending on the context.

Is "proceed to say" too formal for everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "proceed to say" can sound formal in casual settings. Consider using more natural alternatives like "then I said" or "I went on to say" for everyday conversation.

What's the difference between "proceed to say" and "go on to say"?

"Proceed to say" and "go on to say" are similar, but "proceed to say" often implies a more deliberate continuation, while "go on to say" can be more conversational.