before the seeds are germinated, I did not know what kind of plants they would be. vs before the seeds are germinated, I did not know what kind of plants they could be.

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. The first phrase uses 'would be,' indicating a future condition from the past perspective. The second phrase uses 'could be,' suggesting a possibility or potential outcome. The choice between 'would be' and 'could be' depends on the intended meaning and emphasis of the sentence.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 571 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"before the seeds are germinated, I did not know what kind of plants they would be."

This phrase is used to express a future condition from a past perspective. It indicates that the speaker did not know the specific type of plants before the seeds germinated.

Show examples from the web [+]

Look, I did not know what had happened here.
Although, I admit, I did not know what to expect.
When I started with you all, I did not know what you were capable of.
Since we're being honest, I did not know what bunting was.
I just happened to hear the bell and I came unprepared and, to be honest, I did not know what was going on.
As I did not know what to do, I asked him for advice.
I did not know what housework was until my maid resigned.
I did not know what was wrong with me.
I did not know what prong three was.
In fact I did not know what African authenticity was.
I did not know what to say.
At the time, I did not know that Commissioner Bolkestein was going to appear next week before the Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism to discuss this matter.
I did not know what prong three was.
You have to believe me. I did not know what Morgana intended.
I did not know what to do, where to go.
I remember returning home... ...and I did not know what to do.
Tony really wanted you here, and I did not know what to do...
I did not know what he meant until I met you.
I did not know what she was to you.
It was a blessing in my early youth that I did not know what was really going to happen.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"before the seeds are germinated, I did not know what kind of plants they could be."

This phrase is used to suggest a possibility or potential outcome. It indicates that the speaker did not know the potential types of plants before the seeds germinated.

Show examples from the web [+]

Look, I did not know what had happened here.
Although, I admit, I did not know what to expect.
When I started with you all, I did not know what you were capable of.
Since we're being honest, I did not know what bunting was.
I just happened to hear the bell and I came unprepared and, to be honest, I did not know what was going on.
As I did not know what to do, I asked him for advice.
I did not know what housework was until my maid resigned.
I did not know what was wrong with me.
I did not know what prong three was.
In fact I did not know what African authenticity was.
I did not know what to say.
At the time, I did not know that Commissioner Bolkestein was going to appear next week before the Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism to discuss this matter.
I did not know what prong three was.
You have to believe me. I did not know what Morgana intended.
I did not know what to do, where to go.
I remember returning home... ...and I did not know what to do.
Tony really wanted you here, and I did not know what to do...
I did not know what he meant until I met you.
I did not know what she was to you.
It was a blessing in my early youth that I did not know what was really going to happen.

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before the seeds are germinated, I did not know what kind of plants they would be. vs before the seeds are germinated, I did not know what kind of plants they could be.