Before the seeds germinated, I did not know what kind of seeds they will be. vs Before the seeds germinated, I did not know what kind of seeds they would be.

The second phrase is correct. When referring to an event in the past that is still relevant in the present, we use 'would' to indicate uncertainty or speculation. In this case, the uncertainty about the kind of seeds is being expressed in relation to the past event of germination.

Last updated: March 29, 2024 • 411 views

Before the seeds germinated, I did not know what kind of seeds they will be.

This phrase is incorrect. 'Will' should be replaced with 'would' to maintain the correct sequence of tenses.

Incorrect usage. The correct form should be 'would be' to indicate uncertainty about the future outcome of the seeds after germination.

Show examples from the web [+]

Look, I did not know what had happened here.
Although, I admit, I did not know what to expect.
As I did not know what to do, I asked him for advice.
I just happened to hear the bell and I came unprepared and, to be honest, I did not know what was going on.
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 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 housework was until my maid resigned.
I call it an incident so I can carry the burden of boys broke me, when I was so young, I did not know what boys can do to break a girl.
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 they are, so I've left.
I could hear my good friend Mr Pannella shouting, but I did not know what he was trying to tell me.
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.
I did not know what the end shall be.
I did not know what you want for that got everything.
I did not know what I might say, so I told him I'd given the books to you.
I did not know what to do so I called Dr.

Alternatives:

before the seeds germinated, i did not know what kind of seeds they would be.

Before the seeds germinated, I did not know what kind of seeds they would be.

This phrase is correct. 'Would' is used to express uncertainty or speculation about the future outcome of the seeds after germination.

Correct usage. 'Would' is the appropriate modal verb to indicate uncertainty or speculation about the future outcome of the seeds after germination.

Show examples from the web [+]

Look, I did not know what had happened here.
Although, I admit, I did not know what to expect.
As I did not know what to do, I asked him for advice.
I just happened to hear the bell and I came unprepared and, to be honest, I did not know what was going on.
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 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 housework was until my maid resigned.
I call it an incident so I can carry the burden of boys broke me, when I was so young, I did not know what boys can do to break a girl.
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 they are, so I've left.
I could hear my good friend Mr Pannella shouting, but I did not know what he was trying to tell me.
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.
I did not know what the end shall be.
I did not know what you want for that got everything.
I did not know what I might say, so I told him I'd given the books to you.
I did not know what to do so I called Dr.

Alternatives:

before the seeds germinated, i did not know what kind of seeds they might be.
before the seeds germinated, i did not know what kind of seeds they could be.
before the seeds germinated, i did not know what kind of seeds they were going to be.
before the seeds germinated, i did not know what kind of seeds they were.

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Before the seeds germinated, I did not know what kind of seeds they will be. vs Before the seeds germinated, I did not know what kind of seeds they would be.