Had finished, i would

Question

When i was ten years old I used to go to the cinema every Satrurday morning. After the film had finished, I would go to a toy shop and look at model planes and sometimes I bought them with the pocket money that I had been carefully saving.

Can you explain me why past perfect and would have been used here?

Thanks in advance

Cool Breeze · Accepted Answer

The past perfect indicates that one action preceded another, which is in the past tense (would). I would go means the same as I used to go. Another example: After it had stopped raining, I went for a walk.

CB

CalifJim · Answer

DominikCan you explain me why past perfect and would have been used here?

Past perfect: The finishing of the film happened before the going to a toy shop, but the going to a toy shop was already in the past, so the finishing of the film was even farther in the past.
would: This is "habitual would". It indicates that the action of going to a toy shop occurred habitually (after every film, in fact).

CJ

Dominik · Answer

Thank you Cool Breeze for your explanation. I used to go/went to a toy shop seems ok but from were the "would" comes?

Dominik · Answer

Thank you CalifJim for your clarification. I think I got it.

Cool Breeze · Answer

Dominik I used to go/went to a toy shop seems ok but where does the "would" come from?

It's just a meaning of the word with which you are not familiar.

These definitions are from an American dictionary:

would, v.
1. a pt. and pp. of will 1.
2. (used to express the future in past sentences): He said he would go tomorrow.
3. (used in place of will, to make a statement or form a question less direct or blunt): That would scarcely be fair. Would you be so kind?
4. (used to express repeated or habitual action in the past): We would visit Grandma every morning up at the farm.
5. (used to express an intention or inclination): Nutritionists would have us all eat whole grains.
6. (used to express a wish): Would he were here!
7. (used to express an uncertainty): It would appear that he is guilty.
8. (used in conditional sentences to express choice or possibility): They would come if they had the fare. If the temperature were higher, the water would evaporate.
9. would have, (used with a past participle to express unfulfilled intention or preference): I would have saved you some but Jimmy took it all.
10. would like, (used to express desire): I would like to go next year.
11. would rather. See rather (def. 7).
RHUD

CB

Dominik · Answer

You are right. I didn't know the meaning.

Thanks once again!

Had finished, i would

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