to proceed / to pay
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to proceed
Describes how something takes place, happens, or occurs. It is a more formal paraphrase of 'passieren' (to happen) or 'stattfinden' (to take place).
Die Evakuierung des Gebäudes ging ruhig und geordnet vonstatten.
The evacuation of the building proceeded calmly and in an orderly manner.
The verb 'statten' is no longer used on its own in modern language. It now exists only as part of fixed expressions such as 'vonstatten gehen' (to proceed), 'einen Besuch abstatten' (to pay a visit), or 'Dank abstatten' (to offer thanks).
Ich wollte nur kurz vorbeikommen und Ihnen einen Besuch abstatten.
I just wanted to drop by briefly and pay you a visit.
In the expression 'vonstatten gehen' (to proceed), 'vonstatten' behaves like a separable prefix of the verb 'gehen' (to go). In a main clause, 'vonstatten' comes at the end; in a subordinate clause, it is written together with the conjugated verb.
Das Fest ging ohne Probleme vonstatten.
The festival proceeded without any problems.
The expression 'einen Besuch abstatten' (to pay a visit) requires a person in the dative. The pattern is: jemandem (dative) einen Besuch abstatten.
Der Botschafter stattete dem Präsidenten einen Besuch ab.
The ambassador paid the president a visit.
The expression 'Dank abstatten' (to offer thanks) is also used with a person in the dative. The pattern is: jemandem (dative) Dank abstatten.
Der Gerettete wollte seinen Helfern persönlich Dank abstatten.
The rescued man wanted to offer his thanks to his helpers in person.
The expression 'vonstatten gehen' (to proceed) belongs to elevated or formal language. It is found more often in written reports or official announcements.
Die Wahl ging sehr geordnet vonstatten.
The election proceeded in a very orderly manner.
to happen / pass
'passieren' and 'vonstatten gehen' can both describe that something happens or takes place. 'passieren' is the simple, everyday word for an event. 'vonstatten gehen' is more formal and puts more emphasis on the course of a process: whether something happens calmly, quickly, slowly, or without problems. It is often used for plans, exams, celebrations, or organizational processes. In everyday life, people usually say 'Was passiert?' (What is happening?). If you want to describe how a planned process proceeds, 'vonstatten gehen' can sound more precise.
Die Prüfung ging ruhig und ohne Probleme vonstatten.
The exam proceeded calmly and without any problems.
Im Gespräch mit der Kollegin ist ein Missverständnis passiert.
A misunderstanding happened during the conversation with my colleague.