shall proceed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shall proceed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in formal or legal contexts to indicate that someone is required to move forward with a particular action or process. Example: "The committee shall proceed with the review of the submitted proposals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

I shall proceed to my tale and promise you no more questions".

The New Yorker

"This case shall proceed to trial," said O'Neill, who will be the judge in Cosby's trial.

The Guardian

So, with the hope that the following pages will accomplish some good and instruction for its readers, I shall proceed with my narrative.

The New York Times

"We shall proceed to expel you from the Internet and systematically dismantle the Church of Scientology in its present form," the voice said.

The New Yorker

On the basis that it is so far beyond parody as to very likely have hailed from another dimension, we shall proceed straight to the text of the document.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I shall proceed to describe, to the best of my power, what occurred under my own eyes, and to state the facts which I have heard from men whose veracity is unimpeachable, reserving to myself the exercise of the right of private judgment in making public and in suppressing the details of what occurred on this memorable day".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Early in the Histories, Herodotus makes reference to the way in which cities and states rise and fall, suddenly giving an ostensibly natural principle a moralizing twist: I shall... proceed with the rest of my story recounting cities both lesser and greater, since many of those that were great long ago have become inferior, and some that are great in my own time were inferior before.

The New Yorker

Shall we proceed on this basis?" Stowe has written some very firm instructions in the margin: "PM says Mrs T on no account to get into Royal Box".

The Guardian - Books

"If these thresholds are not met, Greece shall not proceed with any portion of the transaction" if it determines — along with international partners such as the eurozone and International Monetary Fund — that the total contribution of the private sector is insufficient for the July 21 agreement to work, the letter said.

The New York Times

(We shall now proceed to drop the 'DZP' from the labels, since it is ubiquitous here).

Nanoscale Research Letters

It is clear that Marx, in certain respects like Hegel in this regard, refused to develop an ethical code of admonitions and prohibitions such as one finds both in the Scholastic tradition and in much of contemporary moral philosophy, but this fact did not preclude him from having a profound sense of evil in the world, as I shall now proceed to explain.

Journal of Chinese Studies

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shall proceed" in formal contexts such as legal documents, official announcements, or academic papers where a sense of obligation or inevitability is intended.

Common error

Avoid using "shall proceed" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formality can sound stilted or unnatural in everyday contexts; simpler alternatives like "will continue" or "let's go ahead" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shall proceed" primarily functions as a future tense construction expressing obligation or intent in formal contexts. It signifies that a particular action or process is expected or required to continue. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples illustrating its use in legal, official, and academic settings.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shall proceed" is a formal expression indicating the continuation of an action or process, typically used in legal, official, and academic contexts. Ludwig AI analysis, supported by numerous examples, confirms that it conveys a sense of obligation or inevitability. While grammatically correct and common in formal writing, it's essential to avoid its overuse in informal settings, where simpler alternatives are more appropriate. When aiming for clarity and authority in your writing, "shall proceed" can be a valuable tool, but mindful application is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will continue

Indicates a continuation of an action or process, offering a more common and less formal alternative.

will move forward

Suggests progress and advancement in a certain direction, suitable for describing projects or initiatives.

will commence

Implies a formal beginning or start of something, similar in tone to "shall proceed".

will go ahead

Emphasizes the decision to move forward with a plan or action, often despite potential obstacles.

is to begin

Highlights the scheduled start or initiation of an event or activity.

is set to start

Similar to "is to begin", this indicates a planned or scheduled commencement.

will undertake

Implies taking on a task or responsibility, suggesting a commitment to action.

will pursue

Indicates the act of striving towards a goal or objective, often with determination.

will act

Suggests taking action, though it lacks the formal or procedural implication of "shall proceed".

will advance

Implies movement forward, but often suggests overcoming challenges or obstacles to do so.

FAQs

How can I use "shall proceed" in a sentence?

You can use "shall proceed" to indicate a formal or required continuation of an action. For example, "The investigation "shall proceed" as planned" or "The meeting "shall proceed" even in the absence of a quorum".

What are some alternatives to "shall proceed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "will continue", "will go ahead", or "will move forward" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "shall proceed" instead of "will proceed"?

"Shall proceed" is more formal and implies a sense of duty or requirement. "Will proceed" is more neutral and simply indicates a future action. Use ""shall proceed"" in legal or official contexts where obligation is important.

Is "shall proceed" interchangeable with "may proceed"?

No, ""shall proceed"" indicates a requirement or obligation to continue, while "may proceed" indicates permission or possibility. They have opposite meanings and are not interchangeable.