how I must proceed vs how I could proceed

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'How I must proceed' implies a necessity or obligation to proceed in a certain way, while 'How I could proceed' suggests exploring different options or possibilities. The choice between them depends on the specific situation and the speaker's intention.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 2389 views

This phrase is correct and implies a necessity or obligation to proceed in a certain way.

"how I must proceed"

This phrase is used when there is a clear requirement or obligation for the speaker to proceed in a specific manner.

Show examples from the web [+]

I must proceed with caution when it comes to the man I choose to marry.
Until I am ordered to leave, then I must proceed.
Mr Falconer, I am sorry but other Members are waiting and are hungry and have meetings and I must proceed to the explanations of vote.
Under these circumstances, we feel Palm Beach County must proceed with the hand recount.
We must proceed with the greatest precaution.
I repeat, the attack must proceed.
If the dismissal is not granted, we must proceed with the defense.
Meanwhile, we must proceed with our rescue mission.
Please, you must proceed as planned.
We regret this, but we must proceed with the operation.
We are all in this together, and we must proceed quickly.
Our investigation must proceed sub rosa.
But the mission must proceed as planned.
We must proceed according to system.
Naturally this must proceed under the supervision of the Commissioner who has responsibility for these affairs.
The work of enlargement must proceed further, however.
This means that we must proceed on the basis of the precautionary principle.
Liberalisation of the passenger side must proceed step by step.
I see three paths along which the Council and the Union must proceed.
We must proceed with maximum caution due to scientific uncertainties about the methods of contamination.

Alternatives:

how I should proceed
how I am required to proceed

This phrase is correct and suggests exploring different options or possibilities for proceeding.

"how I could proceed"

This phrase is used when the speaker wants to consider various ways of proceeding without implying a specific obligation.

Show examples from the web [+]

I cannot see how else we could proceed.
Admittedly, this will not be very easy: we would need a secretariat at OECD level before we could proceed.
If the author of the amendment agrees, we could proceed in that way.
And, yes, to be honest, before we could proceed, - you would have to end that relationship.
The axis had to shift slightly and stars had to be lined up in a certain way before they could proceed.
I'm impressed by the integrity displayed here, Tony, and it would be a great favor to me and my country if we could proceed.
Finally, because there are scientific opinions which indicated that we could proceed with the authorisation provided it is flanked by a number of strict conditions, as we did.
That, in a sense, would be an essential part of the agenda of any meeting before other matters could proceed.
Of course it would be better if we could proceed on the basis of an international consensus here, because naturally, the ships are not only refuelled in the European Union.
Related applications for authorisation of a novel food and of a health claim relevant for the same product and both based on proprietary data could proceed according to different schedules.
Perhaps I could trouble you to keep us notified of how the case proceeds.
"tread lightly" which is exactly how I proceed.
Within the next couple of months I will inform Members of how I intend to proceed on these important issues.
In July 2004 the Turkish authorities informed the Spanish authorities that they could proceed with a plan drawn up by the company to transfer the ash to another vessel and return it to Spain.
In my opinion, this will need to be one of the assessment criteria for the Commission, to constantly monitor whether we could proceed any faster towards what I refer to as a more normal market, ex post, in other words.
If they could only agree, if they could only turn a prisoner's dilemma into a different payoff matrix called an assurance game, they could proceed.
Okay, here's how I think we should proceed.
Perhaps, after the two first pillars have been published in the OJ and the alignment of the Convention with regard to Community institutions is secured, the EC and the Member States could proceed directly to the ratification of the Convention.
The ceremony can proceed As planned Using different entrances.
All students, please proceed to class.

Alternatives:

how I might proceed
how I can proceed

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how I must proceed vs how I could proceed