Habits in the past

Question

Hi,could you help me solve this puzzle, please?There is this gap filling exercise. One, two, or all three answers may be correct. In this sentece, the correct answer is B. I think, however, A is also possible. I've been racking my brains over it and I can't see exactly why not. C is not correct, that is clear, as we do not use „would“ for states in the past but only for activities. Before she got married she _______________ in Germany for two years.a) used to live b) lived c) would live There is a similar (in my opinion) sentence in this exercise. Here, A and C are correct answers, and I agree. Before my brother had children he ____________ a motorbike.a) used to have b) would have c) hadThank you for your thoughts on this subject.

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

radovanBefore she got married she _______________ in Germany for two years.

lived

In a biography, looking back at the past history of a person, "would live" is possible. However, it is very uncommon.

radovanBefore my brother had children he ____________ a motorbike.

had

"used to" is not used with "before" in the same clause.

My brother used to have a motorbike, but that was before he had children. His wife made him settle down and that meant selling his youthful toys.

CalifJim · Answer

radovanBefore she got married she _______________ in Germany for two years.
a) used to live b) lived c) would live

a); b)

Oddly enough, if it were "after", c) would work with a meaning similar to "was going to".

After she got married she [would live / was (going) to live] in Germany for two years.

But that doesn't fall into the category announced by your header "Habits in the Past".

radovanBefore my brother had children he ____________ a motorbike.
a) used to have b) would have c) had

a); c)

CJ

Habits in the past

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