proceed towards

USAGE SUMMARY

"proceed towards" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to move or go in the direction of something. It can be used in a sentence when describing physical movement or progress towards a goal or destination. Example: The athletes proceeded towards the finish line, determined to complete the race.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The mayor's flagship cycle superhighways will proceed towards completion, even if amended or slowed.

The Guardian

So far, so clear: Mr Obama may attack if we proceed towards nuclear weapons.

The Economist

Mr Cowen has little choice but to proceed towards the budget.

The Economist

Once filled, they then proceed towards Europe with a couple of low-level, expendable smugglers to keep the engine going.

The Guardian

The best response to recent events is to end the war and proceed towards disarmament, instead of aggravating the conflict.

The Guardian - Opinion

Rabbit, taking eight pages to mount Ruth, the part-time prostitute he has met earlier the same evening, had to proceed towards the bookstores with caution.

The Guardian - Books

If it is cleaned up, then perhaps we can feel we can proceed towards a freer, fairer Olympic selection process," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Everything is proceeding towards the match being played as scheduled on Tuesday".

The Guardian - Sport

Ipso, meanwhile, is proceeding towards a hoped-for 1 May start.

The Guardian

We retreat for a much-needed interval drink in a state of shock that will only deepen as the evening proceeds towards its desperate denouement.

The Guardian - Music

Design of the ITER plasma control system is proceeding towards its next – preliminary design – stage.

Fusion Engineering and Design

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "proceed towards" when you want to convey a sense of deliberate movement or progression in a specific direction, whether physical or metaphorical.

Common error

Avoid using "proceed towards" with adverbs that already imply direction, such as "forward" or "ahead". For example, instead of saying "proceed forward towards", simply use "proceed towards".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proceed towards" functions as a verb phrase followed by a preposition, indicating a directed action or movement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "proceed towards" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe movement or progress in a particular direction. Ludwig AI identifies it as correct and usable in written English, with its usage spanning across various contexts, including science, news, and general knowledge. While alternatives like "advance toward" or "move toward" exist, "proceed towards" often conveys a slightly more formal or deliberate tone. When using this phrase, avoid redundancy by omitting adverbs that reiterate direction. Overall, "proceed towards" is a valuable addition to your writing toolkit for clearly indicating directed action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advance toward

Replaces "proceed" with "advance", focusing on forward movement.

move toward

Substitutes "proceed" with "move", indicating a shift in position or direction.

head toward

Replaces "proceed" with "head", implying a specific destination or direction.

progress toward

Emphasizes the gradual development or advancement in the direction of something.

go in the direction of

Expands the phrase to explicitly state movement in a particular direction.

make headway toward

Suggests making progress or overcoming obstacles while moving toward a goal.

work toward

Focuses on the effort and actions taken to achieve a specific outcome or goal.

gravitate toward

Implies a natural or inherent attraction or inclination toward something.

incline toward

Suggests a tendency or predisposition to move or develop in a certain direction.

converge toward

Indicates multiple entities or elements coming together or moving toward a central point.

FAQs

How do I use "proceed towards" in a sentence?

"Proceed towards" indicates movement or progression in a specific direction. For example, "The negotiations "proceed towards" a resolution."

What are some alternatives to "proceed towards"?

You can use alternatives like "advance toward", "move toward", or "head toward" depending on the specific context.

Is "proceeding towards" the same as "proceed towards"?

"Proceeding towards" is the continuous form of ""proceed towards"", indicating an ongoing action. "Proceed towards" is the base form and can be used in various tenses.

When should I use "proceed towards" instead of "go towards"?

"Proceed towards" is generally more formal than "go towards". Use ""proceed towards"" in formal writing or when you want to convey a sense of deliberate action, while "go towards" is suitable for more casual contexts.