when asked to proceed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when asked to proceed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation where someone is prompted or requested to continue with a task or action. Example: "The team was hesitant when asked to proceed with the project without further information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Participants were asked to proceed with their routine diabetes care.

Diabetes Care

When asked to leave it, he froze.

The New Yorker

When asked to accept charges, press Accept.

WikiHow

Say "no thanks" when asked to join.

WikiHow

But when asked whether any proceeds from the book would go to Mills's family, the ex-fugitive's son said: "That has not been discussed yet".

The Guardian

When foraging, you need to proceed with caution.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When asked whether he would proceed with a revision of the Constitution, he said it had long been the Liberal Democrats' goal.

The New York Times

A scholar of nonverbal communication, he can confront five audience members with their drawings and, having instructed each to answer "no" when asked if he is the artist, proceed to identify liar after liar.

The New York Times

When asked if his candidacy could proceed without additional support from Mr. Adelson, Mr. Gingrich did not answer, crossing beneath the bright fresco ceilings into the private dining room of Postrio, a Wolfgang Puck restaurant, where a small group of donors and friends awaited, along with servers pouring red wine.

The New York Times

For any mistake the participants were asked to stop and proceed after correcting the mistake.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

When asked if the shareholders could vote on whether to proceed, the board said no. Can the shareholders stop the assessment?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when asked to proceed" to clearly indicate that an action should only be taken after a specific prompt or request. This is useful in instructions or scenarios where timing is important.

Common error

Avoid using "when asked to proceed" excessively in contexts where active voice would be more direct and engaging. For instance, instead of "The experiment was continued when asked to proceed", consider "The scientists continued the experiment after receiving instructions."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when asked to proceed" functions as an adverbial clause indicating the condition or timing under which an action should take place. Ludwig highlights this as a valid and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "when asked to proceed" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as an adverbial clause setting the condition for an action, primarily used to provide clear instructions or indicate timing. While not extremely common, it appears in a range of contexts, including news, wikis, and scientific publications. Alternative phrases, such as "upon being prompted to continue" or "after receiving the go-ahead", can offer variety while maintaining clarity. Remember to use this phrase judiciously, considering whether an active voice construction might be more effective. Ludwig's analysis indicates a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon being prompted to continue

Replaces "when asked" with "upon being prompted", emphasizing the initiation of the action.

after receiving the go-ahead to proceed

Implies permission or approval was given before continuing.

once given the instruction to move forward

Focuses on the instructional aspect of the prompt.

following the invitation to continue

Highlights the inviting aspect of the prompt.

on being authorized to proceed

Stresses the authorization or permission to continue.

when directed to carry on

Emphasizes the directive or order to continue.

after the request to advance

Highlights the request aspect of the prompt.

once cleared to go ahead

Emphasizes the clearance or approval to continue.

when given permission to continue

Highlights the granting of permission to proceed.

as instructed to move on

Focuses on the instructional aspect of the prompt.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "when asked to proceed" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "upon being prompted to continue", "after receiving authorization to proceed", or "once given the instruction to move forward".

Is "when asked to proceed" the same as "if asked to proceed"?

Not exactly. "When asked to proceed" implies that the request to continue has already happened. "If asked to proceed" suggests a hypothetical scenario where the request might occur.

What's a simpler way to say "when asked to proceed"?

Simpler alternatives include "when told to continue", "when prompted", or "when given the go-ahead".

Can I use "when asked to proceed" in a negative context?

Yes, you can. For example, "The project was halted "when asked to proceed" due to unforeseen complications" indicates that the expected continuation did not occur.