[Grammar] People could see everything I do/did.

[kadioguy]

[My original conversation]

Mary: I would like a house made of glass.

Tom:
a. I wouldn't. People could see everything I do.
b. I wouldn't. People could see everything I did.

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I think that both are OK, but (a) means that people could see both you doing something (for example, watching TV) and things you have done (for example, papers in a mess) , while (b) only means that people could see things you have done.

Is that right?

 

[emsr2d2]

Use "People would be able to ..." at the start. Use "could" as the past simple of "can" or for the hypothetical future. Both "do" and "did" are possible there. I'd probably use "do".

 

[kadioguy]

Both "do" and "did" are possible there.

Do you mean that both of them can mean the same?

 

[jutfrank]

I'd teach you to use would be able to and do.