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Sitifan Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Used to V vs. the simple past tense
1. In those days we used to live in the country.
2. I used to write poetry myself when I was his age.
3. He used to be devoted to her when she was a little girl.
4. We used to swam every day when we were children.
5. He used to play football before his marriage.
6. He used to live here in 1944.
Why use the structure "used to V" in the above sentences? Why not just use the simple past tense? Is there any difference in meaning between them?
2. I used to write poetry myself when I was his age.
3. He used to be devoted to her when she was a little girl.
4. We used to swam every day when we were children.
5. He used to play football before his marriage.
6. He used to live here in 1944.
Why use the structure "used to V" in the above sentences? Why not just use the simple past tense? Is there any difference in meaning between them?
Top answer
It makes it clear that condition no longer exists or that activity no longer takes place. For example, the Pulitzer prize winner in poetry could say "He's not too young to start writing poetry. " In that case, the writer obvioulsy still writes.
- It makes it clear that condition no longer exists or that activity no longer takes place.
- For example, the Pulitzer prize winner in poetry could say "He's not too young to start writing poetry.
- " In that case, the writer obvioulsy still writes.
- By saying "used to" the writer makes it clear that he no longer writes poetry, swims every day, plays football, or is devoted to her.
- There's no reason to use it in #6, unless it's "He used to live here, in 1944" with "in 1944 given as extra information.
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1 Answers
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It makes it clear that condition no longer exists or that activity no longer takes place.
For example, the Pulitzer prize winner in poetry could say "He's not too young to start writing poetry. I wrote poetry myself when I was his age." In that case, the writer obvioulsy still writes.
By saying "used to" the writer makes it clear that he no longer writes poetry, swims every day, plays fo
For example, the Pulitzer prize winner in poetry could say "He's not too young to start writing poetry. I wrote poetry myself when I was his age." In that case, the writer obvioulsy still writes.
By saying "used to" the writer makes it clear that he no longer writes poetry, swims every day, plays fo
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