proceeding in line

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "proceeding in line" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of moving forward in a sequence or order, often in a formal or procedural context. Example: "The team is proceeding in line with the established protocols to ensure safety during the operation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Proceeding in line with the Supreme Court cases, which are indisputably controlling, this Court first concludes that Microsoft possessed "appreciable economic power in the tying market"..

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

To develop the planning model, we proceeded in line with the steps provided by Cohon (2004): We first introduce the planning model's conceptual architecture and define central constructs (Sect. 4.1).

Business Research

He said the process of appointing a successor should proceed in line with the timetable initially agreed with the governor and added: "It seems an awful lot is happening in this appointment process behind the scenes and that is not good in terms of the independence of the Bank of England". Mr Carney has divided opinion, receiving both praise and criticism.

BBC

But this depends most of all on a political decision that is not in the hands of the Lebanese state alone, but rather in those of local, regional and international players, because Lebanon has always been an arena for "proxy" battles that proceed in line with the prevailing political and military balance of power.

Huffington Post

Niall and Maddy have stopped squabbling and are proceeding in a straight ish) line.

The Guardian - Travel

The third law in the Principles regulates the behavior of bodies colliding under idealized conditions: When a moving body comes upon another, if it has less force for proceeding in a straight line than the other has to resist it, then it is deflected in another direction, and retaining its motion, changes only its determination.

SEP

Here the allure of the snowshoe was made palpable: those poor cross-country skiers, proceeding in their straight lines.

The New York Times - Travel

"Nature does not proceed in a straight line," he wrote.

The New York Times - Arts

Economic growth never proceeds in a straight line.

The Economist

As I regularly remind my Mason students, life rarely proceeds in a straight line.

The Washington Post

The overhaul is far from done and won't proceed in a straight line.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "proceeding in line", ensure that the context clearly indicates what standards or procedures are being followed for enhanced clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "proceeding in line" when a more direct phrase like "following" or "adhering to" would provide a clearer and more concise message, especially in informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proceeding in line" functions as a present participial phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating how an action is being performed. It denotes adherence to established standards or procedures, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "proceeding in line" is grammatically correct and functions to convey adherence to established procedures. While not exceedingly common, it finds frequent use in news and media and scientific writing. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. When choosing to use this phrase, consider that more direct and simpler alternatives exist, such as "following" or "complying with". Therefore, use "proceeding in line" when you want to emphasize the formal and methodical nature of the action being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following the steps of

Underscores the action of replicating a particular method.

executing according to

Emphasizes the act of performing a task as dictated by a plan.

acting in accordance with

Emphasizes adherence to a set of rules or guidelines, rather than a sequence of actions.

operating in accordance with

Focuses on the action of functioning according to a specific regulation.

advancing according to

Focuses on the progression aspect while highlighting the reliance on a plan.

complying with

This highlights adherence to regulations or directives.

conforming to

Highlights the act of aligning with established standards.

in compliance with

Highlights adherence to standards but it's a shorter phrase.

keeping pace with

This conveys a sense of synchronicity or maintaining the same rate.

abiding by

Emphasizes the act of adhering to a law or agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "proceeding in line" in a sentence?

You can use "proceeding in line" to indicate that an action or process is being carried out according to a set of guidelines or a predetermined plan. For instance, "The investigation is proceeding in line with the established protocols."

What are some alternatives to "proceeding in line"?

Alternatives include "acting in accordance with", "conforming to", or "following the steps of", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more formal to say "proceeding in line" or "following"?

"Proceeding in line" is generally more formal than "following". "Following" is a more direct and versatile term suitable for both formal and informal contexts, while "proceeding in line" implies a structured and methodical approach.

What's the difference between "proceeding in line" and "in accordance with"?

"Proceeding in line" suggests movement or progression that adheres to a set of standards or procedures, whereas "in accordance with" simply means compliance or agreement with a set of rules or principles. The former implies action, while the latter implies a state of agreement.