proceeded to explain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "proceeded to explain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone who continues to provide an explanation after a previous statement or action. Example: "After the question was asked, she proceeded to explain the complex theory in simple terms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"There were extenuating circumstances," he said, which he proceeded to explain.

The New York Times - Sports

He proceeded to explain that I didn't have a moral obligation to the bank.

The New York Times

Divya's team started with an idea and proceeded to explain the way they would implement it.

Harvard Business Review

He proceeded to explain how the incident was just an argument, not a robbery.

The New York Times

Adopting a mock-exasperated tone, Mr. Dimon proceeded to explain his point.

The New York Times

"That's not a stupid question," he said, and proceeded to explain why, sparing no detail.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

You proceed to explain to why that can never be.

The New York Times

It will then proceed to explain and construct frequency distributions, dot diagrams, histograms, frequency polygons and cumulative frequency polygons.

Yale University

We must now proceed to explain why there cannot be more than one heaven-the further question mentioned above.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Then he proceeds to explain why, in his view, the episode with Michael Brown, whom he compares to a demon and Hulk Hogan, became violent.

The New York Times

I then proceed to explain to her the win bet, the place bet, the show bet, the exacta, the superfecta, the daily double, the trifecta box.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "proceeded to explain" to clearly indicate that the explanation follows directly from a previous statement or question. This creates a smooth flow in your writing.

Common error

While "proceeded to explain" is grammatically sound, avoid overuse in informal contexts. Simpler alternatives like "explained" or "went on to say" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proceeded to explain" functions as a verb phrase indicating the continuation of an action, specifically that of providing an explanation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. The examples show its use in conveying how someone elaborated on a topic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "proceeded to explain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate the continuation of an explanation, as Ludwig AI confirms. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, conveying a neutral to professional tone. While versatile, writers should consider simpler alternatives like "went on to explain" or "explained" in more informal settings. The phrase's strength lies in clearly signaling the sequential flow of information, making it a valuable tool for structuring narratives and arguments effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

went on to explain

Emphasizes the continuation of the explanation after a pause or another action.

continued to explain

Directly indicates the ongoing nature of the explanation without additional nuances.

further explained

Highlights the addition of more details or clarification to a previous explanation.

elaborated on

Suggests a more detailed and thorough explanation.

detailed

Implies a comprehensive and step-by-step explanation.

clarified

Focuses on making something easier to understand, removing ambiguity.

expounded on

Indicates a more formal and extensive explanation, often with authority.

illuminated

Suggests shedding light on a subject, making it clearer and more understandable.

divulged

Implies revealing information that was not previously known, adding an element of disclosure.

narrated

Focuses on telling a story or recounting events in a sequential manner.

FAQs

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

Use "proceeded to explain" to show that someone continued by giving an explanation, as in, "After introducing the topic, she proceeded to explain its importance".

What's a simpler way to say "proceeded to explain"?

You can use alternatives like "went on to explain", "continued to explain", or simply "explained".

Is "proceeded to explain" too formal for casual writing?

In very informal writing, "proceeded to explain" might sound slightly stiff. Consider using "went on to say" or "explained" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "proceeded to explain" and "began to explain"?

"Proceeded to explain" implies a continuation after a previous action or statement, while "began to explain" simply indicates the start of an explanation. For example, "He proceeded to explain the next step" suggests he had already been talking, whereas "He began to explain the process" indicates the explanation is just starting.