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proceed meaning and examples

2025-09-16

Meaning

  • Proceed means to begin or continue an action, move forward, or carry on with something after a pause or interruption.

Grammar and Usage

  • Part of speech: Verb

  • Type: Intransitive (cannot take a direct object)

  • Common patterns:

    • proceed to do sth → to move on to the next action
    • proceed with sth → to continue or carry on with something
    • proceed against sb → to begin legal action against someone

Common Phrases

  • Proceed to checkout – commonly used in shopping websites.
  • Proceed with caution – a warning to continue carefully.
  • Proceed as planned – continue according to the original plan.
  • Proceed against someone – take legal steps against a person.

Collocations

  • proceed with (a project, the ceremony, the plan)
  • proceed to (explain, discuss, describe, act)
  • proceed against (a company, an individual, a suspect)

Examples

  1. After the short break, the teacher proceeded with the lesson.
  2. The car slowed down to proceed with caution through the narrow street.
  3. We will proceed to the next topic once everyone has finished reading.
  4. The company decided not to proceed with the merger.
  5. Please proceed to gate 12 for boarding.
  6. Despite the rain, the ceremony proceeded as planned.
  7. The lawyer advised them not to proceed against the landlord.
  8. He paused for a moment and then proceeded to explain the details.
  • continue
  • advance
  • carry on
  • go ahead
  • move forward

Antonym

  • stop
  • halt
  • cease
  • discontinue