Continue vs. Proceed — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 8, 2024
Continue means to carry on with an already started action or process, while proceed implies moving forward from a certain point, often to a new or next step.
Difference Between Continue and Proceed
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Continuing something involves persisting in an ongoing activity or maintaining a current state without interruption. It emphasizes the idea of not stopping or pausing, but rather extending an existing action or condition. Proceeding, on the other hand, suggests advancement or moving forward, especially after a pause, stop, or completion of a previous phase. It often involves a transition to something new or a next step in a sequence of actions.
In a practical sense, to continue might mean to keep doing what you're already doing, such as continuing to work on a task without taking a break. To proceed would imply taking the next step or moving onto a different task or phase, such as proceeding to present findings after completing research.
In some contexts, continue can also imply resumption after a pause or interruption, but the focus remains on the same activity. In contrast, proceed often involves an element of progression or initiation of a new stage following an assessment, decision, or completion of a prerequisite.
The choice between continue and proceed can depend on the desired emphasis: continue highlights persistence or ongoing action, while proceed emphasizes movement or transition towards something new or the next phase.
Comparison Chart
Definition
To persist in an ongoing activity or state
To move forward or advance to a new or next step
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Emphasis
Persistence and ongoing action
Advancement and progression to something new
Context
Used when maintaining or extending a current action
Used when transitioning to a new phase or action
Implication
No significant change or transition in action
Suggests a new phase, decision, or action is being taken
Example Usage
"Continue reading the report."
"Proceed to the next agenda item."
Compare with Definitions
Continue
To keep doing something without interruption.
She decided to continue her studies despite the challenges.
Proceed
To go forward or onward, especially after stopping.
After the introduction, the speaker proceeded with the main lecture.
Continue
Focuses on maintaining the current course of action.
Continue applying the same method to achieve consistent results.
Proceed
Implies movement towards something new or different.
Proceed to the checkout when you are ready to complete your purchase.
Continue
Stresses persistence or prolongation of a state.
The symptoms may continue for several weeks.
Proceed
Can suggest initiation of a new action.
Proceed with caution in the next phase of the experiment.
Continue
Often used when there's no significant change in activity.
The company will continue operating as usual during the renovation.
Proceed
Often used to indicate a transition to a new phase.
Once the data analysis is complete, we can proceed with the publication.
Continue
Can imply resuming an activity after a pause.
The meeting will continue after a short break.
Proceed
Used in contexts of progression or advancement.
After reviewing the proposal, we decided to proceed with the project.
Continue
To go on with a particular action or in a particular condition; persist
We continued until the job was finished.
Proceed
Begin a course of action
The consortium could proceed with the plan
Continue
To exist over a period; last
The meeting continued for another hour.
Proceed
Move forward
From the High Street, proceed over Magdalen Bridge
Continue
To remain in the same state, capacity, or place
She continued as mayor for a second term.
Proceed
Originate from
His claim that all power proceeded from God
Continue
To go on after an interruption; resume
The negotiations continued after a break for dinner.
Proceed
To go forward or onward, especially after an interruption; continue
Proceeded to his destination.
Paused to clear her throat, then proceeded.
Continue
To extend in a given direction
The stream continues for another five miles before it reaches the lake.
Proceed
To begin to carry on an action or a process
Looked surprised, then proceeded to roar with laughter.
Continue
To carry on; persist in
The police will continue their investigation. I continued reading all afternoon.
Proceed
To move on in an orderly manner
Business proceeded as usual.
Continue
To carry further in time, space, or development; extend
The builder will continue the road right through the swamp.
Proceed
To come from a source; originate or issue
Behavior proceeding from hidden motives. ].
Continue
To cause to remain or last; retain or maintain
Are you continuing the prescription? The team continued its dominance over its opponents.
Proceed
(intransitive) To move, pass, or go forward or onward; to advance; to carry on
To proceed on a journey
Continue
To carry on after an interruption; resume
After a break for lunch, we continued our hike.
Proceed
(intransitive) To pass from one point, topic, or stage, to another.
To proceed with a story or argument
Continue
(Law) To postpone or adjourn.
Proceed
(intransitive) To come from; to have as its source or origin.
Light proceeds from the sun.
Continue
(transitive) To proceed with doing an activity; to prolong an activity.
Shall I continue speaking, or will you just interrupt me again?
Do you want me to continue to unload these?
Proceed
(intransitive) To go on in an orderly or regulated manner; to begin and carry on a series of acts or measures; to act methodically
Continue
(transitive) To make last; to prolong.
Proceed
(intransitive) To be transacted; to take place; to occur.
Continue
(transitive) To retain someone or something in a given state, position, etc.
Proceed
To be applicable or effective; to be valid.
Continue
To remain in a given place or condition; to remain in connection with; to abide; to stay.
Proceed
To begin and carry on a legal process.
Continue
(intransitive) To resume.
When will the concert continue?
Proceed
(intransitive) To take an academic degree.
Continue
To adjourn, prorogue, put off.
This meeting has been continued to the thirteenth of July.
Proceed
To move, pass, or go forward or onward; to advance; to continue or renew motion begun; as, to proceed on a journey.
If thou proceed in this thy insolence.
Continue
(poker slang) To make a continuation bet.
Proceed
To pass from one point, topic, or stage, to another; as, to proceed with a story or argument.
Continue
(video games) An option allowing the player to resume play after game over, when all lives have been lost, while retaining their progress.
Proceed
To issue or come forth as from a source or origin; to come from; as, light proceeds from the sun.
I proceeded forth and came from God.
It proceeds from policy, not love.
Continue
To remain in a given place or condition; to remain in connection with; to abide; to stay.
Here to continue, and build up hereA growing empire.
They continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat.
Proceed
To go on in an orderly or regulated manner; to begin and carry on a series of acts or measures; to act by method; to prosecute a design.
He that proceeds upon other principles in his inquiry.
Continue
To be permanent or durable; to endure; to last.
But now thy kingdom shall not continue.
Proceed
To be transacted; to take place; to occur.
He will, after his sour fashion, tell youWhat hath proceeded worthy note to-day.
Continue
To be steadfast or constant in any course; to persevere; to abide; to endure; to persist; to keep up or maintain a particular condition, course, or series of actions; as, the army continued to advance.
If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.
Proceed
To have application or effect; to operate.
This rule only proceeds and takes place when a person can not of common law condemn another by his sentence.
Continue
To unite; to connect.
The use of the navel is to continue the infant unto the mother.
Proceed
To begin and carry on a legal process.
Continue
To protract or extend in duration; to preserve or persist in; to cease not.
O continue thy loving kindness unto them that know thee.
You know how to make yourself happy by only continuing such a life as you have been long accustomed to lead.
Proceed
See Proceeds.
Continue
To carry onward or extend; to prolong or produce; to add to or draw out in length.
A bridge of wond'rous length,From hell continued, reaching th' utmost orbof this frail world.
Proceed
Continue with one's activities;
I know it's hard,
But there is no choice
Carry on--pretend we are not in the room
Continue
To retain; to suffer or cause to remain; as, the trustees were continued; also, to suffer to live.
And how shall we continue Claudio.
Proceed
Move ahead; travel onward in time or space;
We proceeded towards Washington
She continued in the direction of the hills
We are moving ahead in time now
Continue
Continue a certain state, condition, or activity;
Keep on working!
We continued to work into the night
Keep smiling
We went on working until well past midnight
Proceed
Follow a procedure or take a course;
We should go farther in this matter
She went through a lot of trouble
Go about the world in a certain manner
Messages must go through diplomatic channels
Continue
Continue with one's activities;
I know it's hard,
But there is no choice
Carry on--pretend we are not in the room
Proceed
Follow a certain course;
The inauguration went well
How did your interview go?
Continue
Keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last;
Preserve the peace in the family
Continue the family tradition
Carry on the old traditions
Proceed
Continue a certain state, condition, or activity;
Keep on working!
We continued to work into the night
Keep smiling
We went on working until well past midnight
Continue
Move ahead; travel onward in time or space;
We proceeded towards Washington
She continued in the direction of the hills
We are moving ahead in time now
Continue
Allow to remain in a place or position;
We cannot continue several servants any longer
She retains a lawyer
The family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff
Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on
We kept the work going as long as we could
Continue
Carry forward;
We continued our research into the cause of the illness
Continue
Continue after an interruption;
The demonstration continued after a break for lunch
Continue
Continue in a place, position, or situation;
After graduation, she stayed on in Cambridge as a student adviser
Stay with me, please
Despite student protests, he remained Dean for another year
She continued as deputy mayor for another year
Continue
Exist over a prolonged period of time;
The bad weather continued for two more weeks
Common Curiosities
Can "continue" imply a restart after a pause?
Yes, "continue" can imply resuming an activity after a pause, though the main focus is on the persistence of the activity.
How do "continue" and "proceed" relate to decision-making?
"Continue" might be used when deciding to maintain the current course of action, while "proceed" could be used when deciding to move on to a new stage or action after consideration.
Is "proceed" more formal than "continue"?
"Proceed" can sound slightly more formal than "continue," especially in procedural or instructional contexts, but the formality largely depends on the specific usage and setting.
Can "continue" and "proceed" be used interchangeably?
While they can sometimes be used in similar contexts, their nuances mean they're not always interchangeable. "Continue" emphasizes ongoing action, while "proceed" focuses on moving forward to something new.
Can "proceed" imply immediate action?
"Proceed" often implies a next step that follows naturally or as planned, which can be immediate or after some deliberation, depending on the context.
How do 'continue' and 'proceed' apply to project management?
In project management, 'continue' might be used to describe carrying on with the current phase or tasks, while 'proceed' could indicate moving to the next phase or set of tasks after completing the current ones.
What does it mean to 'proceed with caution'?
To 'proceed with caution' means to move forward or continue with a particular action or decision while being careful and mindful of potential risks or consequences.
Can 'continue' suggest repetition of an action?
Yes, 'continue' can suggest repeating an action or maintaining a state, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the activity.
How does the use of 'continue' in technology contexts differ from 'proceed'?
In technology contexts, 'continue' might refer to the ongoing operation of a system or process, while 'proceed' could imply moving forward with a new operation, update, or command after a pause or completion of a previous task.
In legal contexts, how do 'continue' and 'proceed' differ?
In legal contexts, 'continue' might refer to the extension or resumption of a hearing or trial, while 'proceed' could refer to moving forward with legal steps or actions, such as proceeding with a case to trial.
What does it imply when a business decides to 'proceed with a plan' versus 'continue with a plan'?
'Proceed with a plan' implies that the business is moving forward with a new or revised plan, potentially after some deliberation or pause, while 'continue with a plan' suggests sticking with the current plan without significant changes.
Is 'proceed' used in travel contexts differently than 'continue'?
In travel contexts, 'proceed' often indicates moving forward or advancing along a route, while 'continue' might be used to suggest staying on the same path or direction without changing course.
In healthcare, how might 'continue' and 'proceed' be used differently?
In healthcare, 'continue' might refer to maintaining a current treatment or medication regimen, while 'proceed' could indicate moving forward with a new treatment, procedure, or phase of care after evaluating the current situation.
Can 'continue' imply a lack of change, whereas 'proceed' implies a progression or evolution?
Yes, 'continue' often implies maintaining the status quo or persisting with no significant change, while 'proceed' suggests a forward movement, indicating progression or a step towards something new or different.
Can 'continue' and 'proceed' be used in educational settings interchangeably?
In educational settings, 'continue' might be used to discuss persisting with a study or learning method, while 'proceed' could imply advancing to a new topic, level, or phase in the educational process.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
