Proceed past tense

Type your word here
Try:

Learn past tenses to communicate in English accurately

Meaning of proceed

to move forward or continue.

Infinitive

Word: proceed /prəˈsiːd/
Examples:
  • 1. We always proceed with caution when navigating through unknown territories.
  • 2. She proceeds to explain the rules before we start the game.
  • 3. The company proceeds with the plan despite the initial setbacks.

Past Simple

Word: proceeded /prəˈsiːdɪd/
Examples:
  • 1. After checking the map, we proceeded with our journey despite the looming storm.
  • 2. The meeting proceeded smoothly after the initial disagreements were resolved.
  • 3. She proceeded to explain the procedure, making sure everyone understood the steps involved.

Past Participle

Word: proceeded /prəˈsiːdɪd/
Examples:
  • 1. The rules have been proceeded with cautiously by the committee.
  • 2. The parade was proceeded by a marching band.
  • 3. All safety checks had been proceeded with before the launch.

Learn more words on the go

Master verb forms with Promova!

Download the app
cta-section-decorative-line-left
cta-section-decorative-line-left

Bare infinitive

  1. Habitual actions or routines. When describing actions that happen regularly or are considered habits.
    Example. 'We usually proceed with caution when investing in new markets.'
    Example. 'Formal meetings proceed with an agenda.'
    Example. 'The conference proceeds at 9 AM sharp tomorrow.'
  2. General truths or facts. When stating something that is generally true at all times.
    Example. 'We usually proceed with caution when investing in new markets.'
    Example. 'Formal meetings proceed with an agenda.'
    Example. 'The conference proceeds at 9 AM sharp tomorrow.'
  3. Fixed arrangements, schedules, or timetables. Referring to events that are scheduled at a known time.
    Example. 'We usually proceed with caution when investing in new markets.'
    Example. 'Formal meetings proceed with an agenda.'
    Example. 'The conference proceeds at 9 AM sharp tomorrow.'

Past Simple

  1. Completed actions in the past. For actions that were completed at a specific time in the past.
    Example. 'We proceeded with the project after getting approval last week.'
    Example. 'In his early career, he always proceeded cautiously with his investments.'
    Example. 'We sat down, opened the meeting, and then proceeded to discuss the budget.'
  2. Past habits. When describing habits or repeated actions that took place in the past but not anymore.
    Example. 'We proceeded with the project after getting approval last week.'
    Example. 'In his early career, he always proceeded cautiously with his investments.'
    Example. 'We sat down, opened the meeting, and then proceeded to discuss the budget.'
  3. Sequential past actions. To describe actions that happened one after another in the past.
    Example. 'We proceeded with the project after getting approval last week.'
    Example. 'In his early career, he always proceeded cautiously with his investments.'
    Example. 'We sat down, opened the meeting, and then proceeded to discuss the budget.'

Past Participle

  1. Present Perfect Tense. Describing actions that happened at an unspecified time before now.
    Example. 'We have proceeded with caution after our last investment did not pan out.'
    Example. 'Before launching the new policy, we had proceeded with extensive research.'
    Example (Present Perfect Passive). 'The plan has been proceeded with, despite objections.'
    Example. 'If we had proceeded with the original plan, we might have faced significant losses.'
  2. Past Perfect Tense. Talking about actions that were completed before another action in the past.
    Example. 'We have proceeded with caution after our last investment did not pan out.'
    Example. 'Before launching the new policy, we had proceeded with extensive research.'
    Example (Present Perfect Passive). 'The plan has been proceeded with, despite objections.'
    Example. 'If we had proceeded with the original plan, we might have faced significant losses.'
  3. Passive Voice. To describe actions done to the subject rather than actions the subject performs in passive constructions, often in various tenses.
    Example. 'We have proceeded with caution after our last investment did not pan out.'
    Example. 'Before launching the new policy, we had proceeded with extensive research.'
    Example (Present Perfect Passive). 'The plan has been proceeded with, despite objections.'
    Example. 'If we had proceeded with the original plan, we might have faced significant losses.'
  4. Conditional Perfect. For hypothetical situations or to talk about conditions in the past that were not met.
    Example. 'We have proceeded with caution after our last investment did not pan out.'
    Example. 'Before launching the new policy, we had proceeded with extensive research.'
    Example (Present Perfect Passive). 'The plan has been proceeded with, despite objections.'
    Example. 'If we had proceeded with the original plan, we might have faced significant losses.'

Common mistakes

— 01

Confusing Forms

A common mistake is confusing or using the past simple form of 'proceed,' which is 'proceeded,' with the past participle form, which is also 'proceeded.' Since both forms are identical for this verb, the error often arises in the context of perfect tenses or passive voice, where users might mistakenly think a different form is required. For example, incorrectly saying 'I have proceed with the plan' instead of the correct 'I have proceeded with the plan.'

— 02

Incorrectly Creating Irregular Forms

Some learners might mistakenly treat 'proceed' as if it were an irregular verb, creating nonexistent forms for its past simple or past participle. For example, saying 'I have proceded' or 'We had proceeed' due to overgeneralizing the rules of irregular verb patterns seen in other verbs. The correct form should always be 'proceeded' for both the past simple and past participle.

— 03

Misusing Past Participle

Another common error is misapplying the past participle form in passive voice sentences, either by using the base form of the verb or another incorrect tense form. For instance, incorrectly saying 'The project was proceed by the team' instead of the correct 'The project was proceeded with by the team.' It’s essential to use the correct past participle form 'proceeded' in passive constructions to maintain proper grammar and clarity.

Past tense quiz

Check your skills and find areas for improvement

Take quiz

Frequently asked questions

What is the past tense of 'proceed'?

The past tense of 'proceed' is 'proceeded.' It is used to describe an action that was completed in the past. For example, 'Yesterday, we proceeded with the meeting despite the technical difficulties.'

What is the past participle of 'proceed'?

The past participle of 'proceed' is also 'proceeded.' It is used in perfect tenses and passive voice constructions. For example, in the sentence 'The plan has proceeded without any major issues,' 'proceeded' is the past participle used with the auxiliary verb 'has' to form the present perfect tense.

How do I use 'proceeded' in a sentence correctly?

To use 'proceeded' correctly, you need to determine whether you're describing an action in the past (simple past tense) or if you're using it in a perfect tense or passive voice construction (past participle). For simple past, you might say, 'They proceeded to the next stage of the project.' For a perfect tense, you could say, 'The construction has proceeded more quickly than expected.'

Can you give an example of 'proceeded' in the passive voice?

Yes, in the passive voice, 'proceeded' is used to indicate that an action was carried out by someone or something, but the focus is on the action rather than who performed it. An example would be, 'The ceremony was proceeded by a speech from the mayor.' Note, however, that this construction is less common with the verb 'proceed' since it typically implies an action moving forward and is more often used in an active sense. A more accurate passive voice usage might involve a different verb, as 'proceed' doesn't lend itself well to passive constructs due to its meaning.