Look-alike words

Precede vs. Proceed

Precede means to come before something in time, order or place. Proceed means to go forward or continue, often after a pause. A short video will precede the talk; then we will proceed to questions.

Word	Part of speech	Meaning
precede	verb	to come or go before something or someone in time, order or position
proceed	verb	to go forward, continue, or begin doing something after a stop

Precede

verb: to come or go before something or someone in time, order or position

A short speech preceded the award ceremony.
Strong winds often precede a summer thunderstorm.

Proceed

verb: to go forward, continue, or begin doing something after a stop

Please proceed to gate 12 for boarding.
After a short break, the meeting proceeded as planned.

How to remember the difference

Pre- means before, as in preview: precede comes before. Pro- means forward, as in progress: proceed moves forward.

Good to know

Notice the spelling: precede ends in -cede, but proceed ends in -ceed, like succeed and exceed. The noun proceeds, stressed on the first syllable, means money raised: the proceeds went to the library.

Spot the mistake

Please ~~precede~~ proceed to the nearest exit.
Correct: Please proceed to the nearest exit.
The salad course ~~proceeded~~ preceded the main dish.
Correct: The salad course preceded the main dish.

Check yourself

Pick the word that fits each sentence.

1. A brief welcome will the main performance.

2. Once the light turns green, you may through the intersection.