Difference between revisions of "Precede - proceed"
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| − | ''' | + | The two [[verb]]s '''proceed''' and '''precede '''can be confused, because in rapid speech they sound similar. They are virtual [[homophone]]s. Note that the spelling is different. |
| + | *To '''precede''' means 'to go before'. It is usually [[transitive]] - "a person with a mace '''precedes '''the Vice-Chancellor on formal occasions"; "King Richard III '''preceded '''Henry VII"; "the meal will be '''preceded '''by a reception." | ||
| + | *To '''proceed''' means 'to go on', or 'to go forward'. It is [[intransitive]] - "We will proceed next week"; "the events of the day proceeded as planned"; and "The policemen proceeded on his way". It may be followed by the [[preposition]] '''with''' - "we will proceed with Agenda item 12"; or "Proceed with your studies." | ||
| − | + | :There is a also a transitive verb to '''process''', meaning to subject raw materials to a '''process''', or a '''procedure '''- an activity that will alter them. Some speakers use the verb to '''proceed''' something (transitively) in this sense; but for academic English they should not be imitated. | |
| − | + | [[category:spelling common errors]][[category:disambig]] | |
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| − | There is a also a transitive verb to '''process''', meaning to subject raw materials to a '''process''', or a '''procedure '''- an activity that will alter them. Some speakers use the verb to '''proceed''' something (transitively) in this sense; but for academic English they should not be imitated. | + | |
Revision as of 11:04, 8 July 2007
The two verbs proceed and precede can be confused, because in rapid speech they sound similar. They are virtual homophones. Note that the spelling is different.
- To precede means 'to go before'. It is usually transitive - "a person with a mace precedes the Vice-Chancellor on formal occasions"; "King Richard III preceded Henry VII"; "the meal will be preceded by a reception."
- To proceed means 'to go on', or 'to go forward'. It is intransitive - "We will proceed next week"; "the events of the day proceeded as planned"; and "The policemen proceeded on his way". It may be followed by the preposition with - "we will proceed with Agenda item 12"; or "Proceed with your studies."
- There is a also a transitive verb to process, meaning to subject raw materials to a process, or a procedure - an activity that will alter them. Some speakers use the verb to proceed something (transitively) in this sense; but for academic English they should not be imitated.
