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Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Past Indefinite

Can anyone please justify the usage of "Past Indefinite" instead of Simple Past?

What I know is that it is rather a simple present perfect which refers to an indefinite time in contrast to a simple past which suggests definite (though sometimes unstated), i.e. 'buried in the past', time.
  

Top answer

Hi The simple past is, of course, the expression of a single event or state of being, in the past (though it leaves it open whether there was more than one occasion): - Did you go to Paris? - Yes, I went to Paris My suggestion for the past indefinite is 'used to': - Did you go to Paris? - Yes, I used to go to Paris It implies more than one event in the past (and that the series of events is now over).

— Dave_anon

  • Hi The simple past is, of course, the expression of a single event or state of being, in the past (though it leaves it open whether there was more than one occasion): - Did you go to Paris?
  • - Yes, I went to Paris My suggestion for the past indefinite is 'used to': - Did you go to Paris?
  • - Yes, I used to go to Paris It implies more than one event in the past (and that the series of events is now over).
  • I'm not an expert, so others may have different views Dave
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1 Answers
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Hi

The simple past is, of course, the expression of a single event or state of being, in the past (though it leaves it open whether there was more than one occasion):

- Did you go to Paris?
- Yes, I went to Paris

My suggestion for the past indefinite is 'used to':

- Did you go to Paris?
- Yes, I used to go to Paris

It implies more than one event
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