we should proceed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'we should proceed' is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to indicate a course of action is recommended or to suggest that something should continue or move forward. For example, "Given the amount of progress we have made, we should proceed with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We should proceed with caution here.

The Washington Post

Falconer said: "We should proceed with the bill on Friday.

The Guardian

We paused, a little uncertain how we should proceed.

The New Yorker

Research suggests that we should proceed more cautiously.

The New Yorker

"We should proceed on our own timetable, not theirs".

The New Yorker

"We should proceed with due diligence," he said.

The New York Times

Kirsty Williams says we should proceed very carefully.

The Guardian

Mary Creagh says we should proceed carefully with fracking.

The Guardian

This is how ethicists say we should proceed.

The New York Times

Congress is divided on how we should proceed.

The New York Times

Then we should proceed on to primate testing.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we should proceed", clearly state the action or plan you are referring to. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity. For example, "We should proceed with the marketing campaign as planned."

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "We should proceed". Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony. Instead of saying "We should proceed. We should proceed carefully. We should proceed with caution.", try "We should proceed, but with caution and careful consideration."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we should proceed" functions as a directive, indicating a suggested or recommended action. It conveys a sense of encouragement or agreement to move forward, as demonstrated by examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we should proceed" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to suggest or recommend moving forward with a plan or action. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase functions as a directive and serves to propose or agree on a course of action. It maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse settings, including news, academia, and professional environments. It's important to provide context when using this phrase to ensure clarity and avoid overuse in close proximity within writing. Remember to think about other ways to proceed using alternatives like "we ought to continue" or "it's advisable for us to go ahead", depending on the desired tone. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness, further solidifying its reliability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we ought to continue

Replaces "should" with "ought to", implying a moral obligation or strong recommendation.

we need to advance

Substitutes "proceed" with "advance", focusing on making progress.

it's advisable for us to go ahead

Rephrases the suggestion as an advisement, adding a degree of formality.

we could move forward

Offers a more tentative approach, suggesting a possibility rather than a firm decision.

we have to make headway

Emphasizes the effort required to progress, using "make headway" instead of "proceed".

it is imperative to continue

Highlights the necessity of proceeding, adding a sense of urgency.

we are compelled to act

Highlights the feeling that someone is forced to proceed, and that action is a must.

let's keep going

An informal phrase which highlights the will to proceed further.

we must push on

Adding a sense of effort in order to proceed further.

we shall go on

Using the word "shall" in order to formalize the way to tell to proceed

FAQs

How can I use "we should proceed" in a sentence?

Use "we should proceed" to suggest a course of action or to indicate that something should continue. For example, "Given the positive feedback, "we should proceed" with the project's next phase."

What are some alternatives to "we should proceed"?

Alternatives include phrases like "we ought to continue", "it's advisable for us to go ahead", or "we could move forward", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is "we should proceed" formal or informal?

"We should proceed" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "it is imperative to continue".

What does "we should proceed with caution" mean?

"We should proceed with caution" means that while moving forward is advised, it's important to be careful and mindful of potential risks or challenges. It implies a need for thorough planning and careful execution.