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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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should you decide to proceed

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should you decide to proceed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in formal communication to indicate a conditional situation where the reader has the option to continue with a particular action or decision. Example: "Should you decide to proceed with the project, please let us know your timeline and requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Should you decide to proceed with a lawsuit, then you will need to initiate the suit by filing a complaint in the appropriate court or administrative agency.

Should you decide to proceed with your business operation, you'll obviously need a more more extensive set-up and habitat for your frogs.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Be diligent in researching Prosper (or its competitors), and---should you decide to proceed---start slowly and conservatively in picking loans to fund.

If you decide to proceed, tell your boss and colleagues.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Know the unsubscribe process, should you decide to unsubscribe.

Study the coupon carefully should you decide to redeem it.

Study the coupon carefully should you decide to get it.

Updated at 10.50pm GMT 6.32pm GMT My verdict It is difficult to overstate how important it is for the government to get this piece of legislation right, should it decide to proceed.

News & Media

The Guardian

In the SEC filing, Exide said it may not complete the upgrades required to restart its Vernon plant until the end of March 2015, "should the company decide to proceed".

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

Whatever the decision, understanding how HWs are likely to engage in the MC programme should the government of PNG decide to proceed with such a policy in the future is important, particularly as evidence also exists of all levels of HWs being involved in penile foreskin cutting activities in PNG [ 37].

And "if we do decide to proceed, all should acknowledge the extraordinary risk".

Science & Research

Science Magazine
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should you decide to proceed", ensure the context clearly outlines the specific action or decision that follows. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "should you decide to proceed" when there is no actual choice or alternative. This phrase implies a contingency, so use it only when the reader genuinely has a decision to make.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should you decide to proceed" functions as a conditional clause that introduces a potential action based on a prior decision. As supported by Ludwig, it sets a condition: if a decision is made to move forward, then a subsequent action or consequence will follow. This construction is common in formal communication.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "should you decide to proceed" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for expressing a conditional action based on a prior decision. According to Ludwig, its register leans towards professional, making it suitable for formal communication, news articles, and instructional guides. Although the phrase isn't extremely common, it provides clarity by outlining what follows if a specific decision is made. Alternatives like "if you choose to continue" or "should you wish to continue" can be used depending on the desired level of formality or emphasis.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "should you decide to proceed" for brevity?

You can use shorter alternatives such as "if you proceed", "should you continue", or "if you decide to go ahead" depending on the context.

Is "should you decide to proceed" more formal than "if you decide to proceed"?

Yes, "should you decide to proceed" is generally considered more formal due to the inversion of the auxiliary verb "should". It's suitable for professional or academic writing.

When is it appropriate to use "if you choose to continue" instead of "should you decide to proceed"?

Use "if you choose to continue" when you want to emphasize the element of choice, making it clear that the decision rests with the reader.

What's the difference between "should you decide to proceed" and "if you plan to proceed"?

"Should you decide to proceed" implies a decision is yet to be made, whereas "if you plan to proceed" suggests a plan already exists but hasn't necessarily been acted upon. The choice of phrase depends on whether you're referring to a decision or a plan.

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Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: