proceed toward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "proceed toward" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating movement or progress in a specific direction or towards a particular goal. Example: "After the meeting, we will proceed toward finalizing the project details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Plans, however, proceed toward selling the house.

The New York Times - Books

The rapper said, "He cool," and let me proceed toward the subway, down 20 bucks.

The New York Times

Roosevelt's resolution of this question in Stevens's favour permitted work to proceed toward a specific goal.

Britannica

So last month, Northwest asked Delta to proceed toward a deal without a combined list.

The New York Times

The missions would then proceed toward flight and some could launch by 2016.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

After earning the BS degree, students are able to seamlessly proceed toward earning their MS degree.

Columbia University

His ruling means that the takeover bid will proceed toward a shareholder vote scheduled for Sept. 12.

The New York Times

The march is scheduled to start at 1 15 p.m. and will proceed toward the White House.

The New York Times

The new policy will play a central role in shaping how autonomous vehicles proceed toward commercial use.

MIT Technology Review

"I said it was important to be able to lift it if we are going to proceed toward free and fair elections in Egypt.

The New York Times

But rather than call off the mission, he decided to wait for reinforcements, and proceed toward Leesburg for further reconnaissance — a decision supported by Stone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "proceed toward" to clearly indicate the next step in a process or a planned movement in a specific direction. For instance, in project management, you might say, "We will now proceed toward the implementation phase."

Common error

While "proceed toward" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in informal contexts where simpler alternatives like "go to" or "move to" might sound more natural. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proceed toward" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the act of moving or progressing in a specific direction or towards a particular goal. This is validated by Ludwig examples showcasing its use in diverse scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

30%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "proceed toward" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI, primarily employed to indicate planned movement or progression towards a goal. Analysis of Ludwig examples indicates its common usage in "News & Media", "Science", and "Academia", suggesting a neutral-to-formal register. For clearer and more effective writing, use "proceed toward" to clearly define the direction of a process or movement, but be mindful of overusing it in informal settings. Alternatives such as "advance towards" or "progress towards" can add variety to your writing. The phrase maintains a strong level of correctness, authority and usage consistency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advance towards

Replaces "proceed" with "advance", emphasizing forward movement but is semantically similar.

progress towards

Substitutes "proceed" with "progress", focusing on the act of developing or moving forward.

move in the direction of

Replaces "proceed" with a more descriptive phrase indicating movement towards a direction.

head in the direction of

Uses "head" to suggest a planned or intentional movement.

work towards

Focuses on the effort and steps taken to achieve a goal.

make headway toward

Emphasizes progress being made, potentially with difficulty, towards the destination.

set out for

Highlights the beginning of a journey or effort directed at a specific place or goal.

steer toward

Implies controlled movement or guidance in a particular direction.

gravitate toward

Suggests a natural tendency or inclination to move towards something, less intentional.

aspire to

Focuses more on the ambition or desire to reach a goal, rather than the act of moving.

FAQs

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

You can use "proceed toward" to indicate movement or progress in a specific direction or towards a goal. For example, "After the presentation, we will "proceed toward" the final negotiations".

What can I say instead of "proceed toward"?

You can use alternatives such as "advance towards", "progress towards", or "move in the direction of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "proceed toward" or "proceed to"?

"Proceed toward" indicates movement in a direction, while "proceed to" suggests moving directly to a specific location or action. For example, "proceed toward the building" versus "proceed to finalize the agreement".

What is the difference between "move toward" and "proceed toward"?

"Move toward" generally describes a physical movement or a shift in attitude or opinion, while "proceed toward" often implies a planned or deliberate action. For instance, "move toward a solution" versus ""proceed toward" implementing the plan".