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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Past Habits: past tense vs. would+verb

A. In my last job, if there were any problems, I usually investigated the problem first and gathered information.
B. In my last job, if there were any problems, I would usually investigate the problem first and gather information.

Which of the above sentences is correct in describing past actions one normally does in his previous day to day job?
  

Top answer

They are both OK to my ear. The context already makes it clear that this is something one normally did, so the loss of "would" hardly changes the meaning.

— Mr Wordy

  • They are both OK to my ear.
  • The context already makes it clear that this is something one normally did, so the loss of "would" hardly changes the meaning.
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7 Answers
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They are both OK to my ear. The context already makes it clear that this is something one normally did, so the loss of "would" hardly changes the meaning.
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Thank you, Mr. Wordy, for your helpful response. Just to clarify, in both sentences, if i omit the word "usually", are both sentences still OK? Do they still imply things I would normally do in my last job when problem arised?

A. In my last job, if there were any problems, I usually investigated the problem first and gathered information.

B. In my
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AnonymousJust to clarify, in both sentences, if i omit the word "usually", are both sentences still OK? Do they still imply things I would normally do in my last job when problem arised?
Both versions still seem OK to me, and they both imply that you did those things every time there was a problem.

Away from the part you are asking about, I'm wonderin
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Okay, thanks so much for that clarification. I'm taking your suggestion as well, which I believe is even better. Cheers!
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Hi,

In my last job, if there were any problems, I usually investigated the problem first and gathered information.

If I were the interviewer and you said 'usually', I'd ask 'Don't you always investigate a problem first and gather information? Why not?'



Clive
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CliveIf I were the interviewer and you said 'usually', I'd ask 'Don't you always investigate a problem first and gather information? Why not?'
You're a hard man!
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I would probably use 'always' instead of 'usually' or perhaps just omit the adjective and leave it to the interviewer's own understanding.

Thank you, Clive and Mr. Wordy. Great help!
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