they then proceeded

USAGE SUMMARY

"they then proceeded" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that a group of people continued to do something after the completion of a prior action. For example, "The students finished their presentation and then proceeded to discuss the questions from the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

They then proceeded side by side into the woods.

The New Yorker

Tells how they then proceeded & how they will proceed further.

The New Yorker

They then proceeded deliberately to make peace with Burgundy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They then proceeded repeatedly to rip apart Andorra's defence.

The Guardian - Sport

They then proceeded to establish Soviet-style one-party states and declare themselves "presidents for life".

The New York Times

No one was, and they then proceeded to dinner and the ballgame at the Brass Monkey sports restaurant.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

They then proceed to drive it cross-country.

The New York Times

They then proceed down a grand staircase to a platform lined with BMW cars.

The New York Times - Arts

As if that's not bad enough, they then proceed to fall into the program themselves.

The New Yorker

They then proceed to hell, where they don "garments of fire" (22 19) and have boiling water poured over their heads.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Once filled, they then proceed towards Europe with a couple of low-level, expendable smugglers to keep the engine going.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and formality level when using this phrase; it's suitable for both formal and informal writing, but other options might be better depending on the specific tone.

Common error

Avoid using "they then proceeded" repetitively in a single piece of writing. Vary your sentence structure and use synonyms like "they continued", "they went on to", or "subsequently they" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they then proceeded" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, linking two sequential actions performed by a group. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they then proceeded" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that connects sequential actions, offering a clear chronological flow in writing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile across various contexts, it's most prevalent in news media and encyclopedic content. To avoid redundancy, alternatives like "they went on to" or "subsequently they continued" can enhance writing. Its neutral tone makes it apt for both formal and informal communications, marking it as a practical addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they subsequently continued

Emphasizes the immediate succession of actions.

they went on to

A more concise and informal way of expressing the sequence.

thereafter they continued

Adds a sense of time and formality to the continuation.

following that, they acted

Highlights the action taken after a specific event.

subsequently they executed

More formal and emphasizes the execution of a task.

they next advanced

Emphasizes forward movement or progress in a sequence.

they carried on from there

A more conversational way of indicating continuation.

they further advanced

Highlights a continuation of advancement or progress.

then they advanced

Highlights a continuation of advancement or progress, simplifying the original expression.

they later undertook

Indicates that the next action happened at a later time.

FAQs

How can I use "they then proceeded" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to show the continuation of a series of actions performed by a group. For example, "After the meeting concluded, they then proceeded to the conference hall".

What are some alternatives to "they then proceeded"?

You can use alternatives like "they then continued", "they went on to", or "subsequently they" depending on the context.

Is "they then proceeded" formal or informal?

The phrase "they then proceeded" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, consider synonyms like "subsequently they executed" for more formal writing.

What's the difference between "they then proceeded" and "they continued"?

"They then proceeded" explicitly indicates a sequence of actions, whereas "they continued" simply suggests a continuation of the same action. The former is useful when highlighting a shift to a new activity in a chain of events.