proper / appropriate

Yes, they do have a lot of overlap in meaning. In this context, appropriate is the appropriate word to use. 👁 Wink ;)


If you are describing something that is the right thing/the suitable thing to use or do in the situation then it is the appropriate thing to use or do. A proper schedule would be one that was printed out on a neat sheet of paper, rather than being scrawled on the back of a cigarette packet - both could be appropriate, depending on the circumstances.

You might find inspiration in these previous discussions:

available/proper/suitable/appropriate
Proper vs. appropriate
proper/appropriate/suitable people?
respective, related, appropriate, proper,...

I agree that appropriate is the better of the two options, but "prepare appropriate schedules" is not smooth, clear or elegant to me. It is very common in American English to set a schedule rather than to prepare one. I might say here: the engineers should set a realistic schedule.

You can also say that engineers need to plan accordingly. Or you can use proper if you put it this way: The difficulties faced during the execution of a project need to identified. Proper planning is essential.

I think that the issue here is not just about definitions of the words but also about collocation, or the way the words are typically used together by native speakers. "Plan accordingly" is common as is "proper planning."

Embonpoint, aren't you rather wandering away from the topic? << from here on we both did. Further off-topic discussion continues in a new thread prepare or set a schedule >>

<< this text moved to prepare or set a schedule >>

And to add a bit more detail on the original post, I'm trying to say that the difference between proper and appropriate is in part an issue of collocation. In Merriam Webster definition 8, proper means "marked by suitability, rightness or appropriateness." So in fact, the two words can mean the same thing and the difference is how the words are most commonly used by native speakers. << text moved to prepare or set a schedule >>