proceeded to say

USAGE SUMMARY

'proceeded to say' is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a speaker has continued speaking, often after a brief pause or interruption. For example, "She paused for a moment, then proceeded to say, 'I must go now.'".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 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

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

The New York Times

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

The Guardian

Unite's general secretary had declared his didn't want to say "too many controversial things", but proceeded to say several.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Self-censorship," she told me, nonetheless proceeding to say many entertaining things that could have got her into trouble.

The Guardian - Music

Mr. Alsen then proceeds to say that "utilizing his counterintelligence skills, Salinger forged French identification papers for Sylvia in order to circumvent the nonfraternization law," and suggests, without hard evidence, that Sylvia "might have been a Gestapo informant".

The New York Times - Books

And she proceeds to say, "(Sex) was never protected".

Huffington Post

Explaining his plans for the future, Whedon proceeds to say, "One person.

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "continued," "added," or "stated" if "proceeded to say" feels repetitive within a text. This helps maintain reader engagement and stylistic variation.

Common error

Avoid using "proceeded to say" excessively in dialogue-heavy writing. Over-reliance on this phrase can make the narrative feel stilted. Opt for more varied and subtle ways to indicate who is speaking, such as action beats or simple "said."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proceeded to say" functions as a verb phrase indicating the continuation of someone's speech. Ludwig AI confirms this is an acceptable and common expression, used to show that a speaker continued their thought or narrative after a pause or a previous action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "proceeded to say" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate the continuation of speech. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most frequently found in news and media contexts, offering a neutral tone suitable for objective reporting. While versatile, be mindful of overuse in dialogue to avoid stylistic monotony. Remember to consider synonyms to enhance the flow and clarity of your writing. The sources show consistent and appropriate usage, reinforcing its reliability as an expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continued by saying

Emphasizes the uninterrupted nature of the speech, highlighting the continuation.

went on to state

Formal alternative, suggesting a deliberate and official declaration.

added that

Implies an addition to a previous statement, focusing on supplementary information.

further remarked

Highlights a thoughtful or insightful comment made in addition to previous remarks.

then mentioned

Focuses on the act of bringing something to attention after a preceding action.

followed up with

Suggests a direct response or elaboration on a prior point.

explained further

Indicates a more detailed explanation after an initial statement.

elaborated by saying

Stresses the detailed expansion of an idea or point.

stated next

Highlights the sequential order of statements, indicating the next point made.

responded by saying

Highlights that the phrase is an actual response to a statement.

FAQs

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

"Proceeded to say" is used to indicate that someone continued speaking after a pause or interruption. For example: "He paused, then "proceeded to say", 'I disagree with that statement.'"

What are some alternatives to "proceeded to say"?

Alternatives include "went on to state", "continued by saying", or "added that". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is "proceeded to say" formal or informal?

"Proceeded to say" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It is suitable for news reports, essays, and formal writing, but might sound somewhat stilted in casual conversation.

What's the difference between "proceeded to say" and "began to say"?

"Proceeded to say" implies a continuation after a pause, while "began to say" suggests the start of a statement. You would use "proceeded" when someone has already been speaking, and "began" when they are initiating a new point.