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proceeding/going

entrapta

Senior Member
Italian
When talking about a map or a region while accompanying the reader through an imaginary voyage can you say: 'Proceeding/going northwards we come across/encounter...' I'm not sure which is best option...
In your context, the imaginary voyage, I think "proceeding" is definitely a better word. It sounds great! Saying "Going northwards" is in no way wrong, it just doesn't sound as good to my ear.
It depends on what sort of tone you want. "Proceding + encounter" sound rather formal, perhaps a little old-fashioned, whereas "going + come across" sound more like ordinary speech of today. Both combinations have their own merits, depending on what you want.
'Proceed' for 'go' is rather formal; in fact it's often associated with one or two clichéd uses. An airport announcement might say, 'Will passengers for flight XY123 please proceed to the checkout desk.' (Airlines often use a rather unnatural style.) It is almost a joke that a policeman might say, 'The suspects proceeded in a northward direction' when they mean just "went north".

That said, 'proceed' with maps has a nice Marco Polo sound to it, and does indeed sound better.
Although I usually turn it off, the voice in my GPS based navigation system in the car will frequently tell me to - it's both formal and resembles airline instructions as etb commented 👁 Big Grin :D

Where do policemen get trained in writing that way - it can't be coincidence that they all sound the same? Perhaps evidence-writing classes during training require wording that has stood the test of courtroom presentation and legal challenge?
I guess I'll go for the formal option which is suitable given the context, thanks to all of you
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