continue and proceed share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. continue means “continue a certain state, condition, or activity”. proceed means “continue talking”. continue is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/kənˈtɪnju/
1.v.continue a certain state, condition, or activity
“Keep on working!”
2.v.continue talking
“`I know it's hard', he continued, `but there is no choice'”
3.v.keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last
“preserve the peace in the family”
/pɹəˈsid/
1.v.continue talking
“`I know it's hard', he continued, `but there is no choice'”
2.v.move ahead; travel onward in time or space
“We proceeded towards Washington”
3.v.follow a procedure or take a course
“We should go farther in this matter”
| continue | proceed | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /kənˈtɪnju/ | /pɹəˈsid/ |
| Said | kuhn-TI-nyoo | pruh-SEED |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| Letters | 8 | 7 |
| Parts of speech | verb | verb |
| Senses | 10 | 5 |
| How common | Core | Common |
| Synonyms | go on, proceed, go along | continue, go on, carry on |
Full entry for continue · Full entry for proceed · More comparisons