proceeded to

USAGE SUMMARY

"proceeded to" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate that the subject has moved on to a new action. For example: "He proceeded to unpack his suitcase."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

He proceeded to demonstrate.

The New York Times

Chamson proceeded to seduce him.

The New Yorker

He proceeded to beat Shimmy Gezer.

The New Yorker

Belarus proceeded to exploit his absence ruthlessly.

Independent

Boso thereafter proceeded to expand his domains.

Encyclopedia Britannica

From there, the world proceeded to end.

The New York Times - Magazine

She then proceeded to remember everything.

The New Yorker

(The council proceeded to do nothing).

The New Yorker

Several states proceeded to do so.

The New Yorker

She proceeded to lure him with blinis.

The New York Times - Food

Instead, this outsider proceeded to apologize.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "proceeded to" to clearly indicate the sequence of actions, especially when describing a process or narrative. It adds a sense of order and logical progression.

Common error

Avoid using "proceeded to" excessively in a single piece of writing. Overuse can make your text sound repetitive and monotonous. Vary your sentence structure with alternative phrases like "went on to" or "then did" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proceeded to" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the commencement of a subsequent action. It builds upon a previous action, showing a logical progression. According to Ludwig, it's a common phrase used to connect events in a narrative.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

24%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "proceeded to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verbal phrase that signifies a sequence of actions or events. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is well-regarded in written English. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and academic writing. While overuse should be avoided, "proceeded to" serves as a valuable tool for establishing clarity and chronological order in your writing. Alternatives such as "went on to" or "continued to" can enhance your writing by preventing repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continued to

Replaces "proceeded" with "continued", emphasizing the uninterrupted nature of the action.

went on to

Changes the verb from "proceeded" to "went on", offering a slightly more informal tone.

moved on to

Substitutes "proceeded" with "moved on", suggesting a transition to a new stage or action.

carried on to

Uses "carried on" instead of proceeded to, this alternative underlines continuation.

then did

Simplifies the phrase to a more concise and direct expression of subsequent action.

advanced to

Replaces "proceeded" with "advanced", implying a forward movement towards a goal.

subsequently did

Employs "subsequently" instead of "proceeded", providing a more formal and chronological connection.

thereafter did

Replaces "proceeded" with "thereafter", indicating a sequence of events in a formal way.

followed by

Uses a passive construction to indicate the next action in a sequence.

acted by

Shortens the sentence while implying the same meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "proceeded to" in a sentence?

You can use "proceeded to" to describe a sequence of actions, indicating what someone did after something else. For example, "After the introduction, he "proceeded to" explain the main points".

What are some alternatives to "proceeded to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "went on to", "continued to", or "moved on to".

Is "proceeded to" formal or informal?

"Proceeded to" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It is suitable for both professional and academic writing but might sound a bit stiff in very casual conversations.

Can I use "proceeded to" at the beginning of a sentence?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "proceeded to" is less common. It's usually better to place it after the subject to maintain a natural flow. For example, instead of "Proceeded to, she opened the door", write "She "proceeded to" open the door".