Precede vs Proceed
What’s the difference between them?
Precede
Meaning:
To go before in time, place, rank, or importance; to be ahead of.
Examples:
1. His arrival preceded the start of the meeting.
2. The thunderstorm preceded the sunny day.
3. Her promotion preceded the reorganization of the department.
Proceed
Meaning:
Proceed means to continue or to go forward in a particular activity or matter.
Examples:
1. The meeting will proceed as scheduled despite the inclement weather.
2. Please proceed with caution when entering the construction zone.
3. We will proceed with the plan as discussed at the last meeting.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Precede
1. Antecede
2. Go before
3. Preoccupy
4. Preposition
5. Forego
1. Follow
2. Succeed
3. Lag behind
4. Come after
5. Trail behind
Proceed
1. Commence
2. Advance
3. Begin
4. Launch
5. Set off
1. Halt
2. Retreat
3. U-turn
4. Stop
5. Reverse course
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Precede", "Proceed".
1. Remember that the prefix 'pre' in 'precede' means 'before.'
2. Remember that the prefix 'pro' in 'proceed' means 'forward.'
3. 'Precede comes before, proceed goes forward.'
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Frequently asked questions
When should 'precede' be used?
Precede is used to indicate that something happens or comes before something else. For example, 'The performance will be preceded by a brief introduction.'
When is the appropriate context for using the word 'proceed'?
Proceed is generally used to indicate that something or someone is continuing and going forward. For example, 'She proceeded to explain the details of the plan.'
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, the two words do not share the same pronunciation. The word 'precede' is pronounced with the stress on the first syllable, while 'proceed' is pronounced with the stress on the second syllable (pre-SEED vs. pro-SEED).
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
One common mistake is using 'proceed' when the meaning should be 'precede'. To avoid this mistake, remember that 'precede' indicates something that comes before something else, while 'proceed' indicates something that is continuing forward. Another mistake is simply mistaking the pronunciation of the two words.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. I will ________ the presentation with some opening remarks.
2. We must ________ with caution when making changes to the system.
3. The meeting is set to ________ the awards ceremony.
4. After the incident, the police ________ with an investigation.
5. We were unable to ________ with our plans due to financial constraints.
6. Please ________ to the instructions in the manual.
1. Precede
Explanation: The verb precede means to go before or happen first. In this sentence, the opening remarks must come before the presentation so the correct choice is to precede the presentation.
2. Proceed
Explanation: The verb proceed means to continue or go forward. In this sentence, caution is being advised when making changes to the system, so the correct choice is to proceed with caution.
3. Precede
Explanation: The verb precede means to go before or happen first. In this sentence, the meeting is set to happen before the awards ceremony, so the correct choice is to precede the awards ceremony.
4. Proceeded
Explanation: The verb proceeded means to continue or go forward. In this sentence, the police are continuing with an investigation after the incident, so the correct choice is to proceed with an investigation.
5. Proceed
Explanation: The verb proceed means to continue or go forward. In this sentence, the plans cannot be continued due to financial constraints, so the correct choice is to proceed with the plans.
6. Proceed
Explanation: The verb proceed means to continue or go forward. In this sentence, instructions need to be followed in the manual, so the correct choice is to proceed to the instructions.
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List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.