precede ~ proceed
[slightly different first vowel sound]
“Precede” (verb) is ‘to come or go before or just in front of something in place, time or order’,
e.g.
The calm weather preceded the heavy storm. [i.e. first there was calm weather and then without warning the storm started]
A small prayer preceded his long speech. [i.e. he said a small prayer first and then made a long, boring speech]
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“Proceed” (verb) is ‘to go forward; to begin and continue something, such as a course of action’,
e.g.
After his guest had left, he proceeded with the interrupted work of writing a letter.
An announcement at the airport:
‘All passengers to New York, please, proceed to gate number five.’
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Author: B C Kumar
Mr. Kumar, an English language teacher, having taught in many countries around the world including Ethiopia and Oman shares this English Language Reference website using material that he has written and compiled during the past 20 years.
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