precede vs proceed
To precede is to come before something in time or order. To proceed is to go ahead or continue. The introduction precedes the report; you then proceed to read it.
The difference
- precede (verb) — to come or go before in time, order or place
- proceed (verb) — to begin or continue a course of action
Examples
- A short briefing preceded the interview.
- Please proceed to the next question.
How to remember
Pre- means before, so precede is to come before.
The common trap
Confusing the spellings: precede ends '-cede', proceed ends '-ceed'.
These distinctions are exactly what Word Meaning and Contextual Word Choice questions test. Read the Word Meaning guide or Contextual Word Choice guide, then practise the drill.