Cool MateContinues vs Proceeds vs Remains
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Continues
Top 2,000 (common)
Proceeds
Top 3,000 (common)C1noun
Remains
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
| Continues | Proceeds | Remains | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kənˈtɪn.juːz//🇺🇸 //kənˈtɪn.juːz// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈprəʊsiːdz/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈprəʊsiːdz/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmeɪnz/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmeɪnz/"]/ |
| Meaning | Keeps going or stays the same over time | Money that is made from selling something. | what is left after something has gone or been removed |
| Example | She continues to excel in her studies. | She sold her car and bought a piano with the proceeds. | The archaeologists uncovered the remains of an ancient civilization buried beneath the desert. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun | |
| Collocations | continues to grow, continues to improve, continues without interruption, continues for a long time, continues in the same direction | total, gross, net, use, invest, split, benefit something, go to something, on the proceeds, with the proceeds, proceeds from, your share of the proceeds | abundant, considerable, extensive, discover, find, locate, survive, lie, date from…, among the remains, in the remains, abundant, considerable, extensive, discover, find, locate, survive, lie, date from…, among the remains, in the remains, abundant, considerable, extensive, discover, find, locate, survive, lie, date from…, among the remains, in the remains |
| Antonyms | stops, ceases, pauses | losses, expenses, costs | disappears, leaves, vanishes |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'continue' which is the base form., Using it in the past tense incorrectly., Omitting the object when needed. | Confused with 'proceed' which means to move forward., Using it incorrectly as an action verb rather than a noun., Mixing up singular and plural forms. | Confusing 'remains' with 'remain' — 'remain' is a verb., Using 'remains' in singular form when referring to multiple items., Mixing up 'remains' with 'leftovers' when discussing food. |
| Usage notes | Use 'continues' to describe actions or states that are ongoing. It's appropriate in both casual and formal contexts, but avoid using it in very informal settings. | Use 'proceeds' in contexts related to business or fundraising. It's not suitable for casual conversations or informal settings. | Used when referring to leftovers or parts that are still present. Often used in both everyday and formal contexts, but can seem more serious when discussing topics like history or archaeology. |
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Frequently asked questions: Continues vs Proceeds vs Remains
What's the difference between Continues, Proceeds, and Remains?
Continues: Keeps going or stays the same over time Proceeds: Money that is made from selling something. Remains: what is left after something has gone or been removed
Can you show an example of each?
Continues: She continues to excel in her studies. Proceeds: She sold her car and bought a piano with the proceeds. Remains: The archaeologists uncovered the remains of an ancient civilization buried beneath the desert.
Can I use Continues, Proceeds, and Remains interchangeably?
Not always. Continues, Proceeds, and Remains are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.