Proceed or Precede? One Goes On, One Goes First
To proceed is to carry on. To precede is to come before. The two are constantly confused, and the prefixes tell you which is which.
To proceed is to go on or continue. To *precede* is to come before. The prefixes do the work: *pro-* means forward, *pre-* means before. As a noun, *proceeds* with an s means the money raised by something, which is another word entirely in effect.
- To continue or go forward. *Proceed with caution.*
- To come from. *Sounds proceeding from the cellar.*
- Proceeds — money raised. *The proceeds go to charity.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | proceed | Proceed to gate 12. |
| Past | proceeded | They proceeded slowly. |
| Noun | procedure | A standard procedure. |
| Plural noun | proceeds | Net proceeds. |
| Confused with | precede | The introduction precedes it. |
How it is used in a sentence
- Please proceed to passport control.Airport instruction.
- All proceeds go to the appeal.Money raised.
- A short delay preceded the announcement.The other word.
Prefixes worth knowing
- pro- — forward (*proceed, progress, propel*)
- pre- — before (*precede, prepare, predict*)
- re- — back or again (*recede, return*)
- ex- — out (*exceed, exit*)
- con- — with (*concede, convene*)
From Latin *procedere*, to go forward, from *pro* and *cedere*, to go or yield — the same *cedere* as in *recede*, *concede* and *exceed*.
Proceed or precede?
Proceed means to go on. Precede means to go before. Remember pro is forward and pre is before.
Proceed or procede?
Proceed with two e's. Only three English verbs end in -ceed: proceed, exceed and succeed.