Which sentence is correct..pls help

Question

Hello..Can anyone help me which sentence is correct.

a) I always go to the library when I was a teenager.
b) I always went to the library when I was a teenager.
c) I was always going to the library when I was a teenager

I wanted to say that last time I always go to the library because I like to read English story books and thats how I first started to like English a lot.

Malinka · Accepted Answer

b) - OK, but I would replace always with often.

BarbaraPA · Answer

Hi marriell, and welcome to English Forums.

I like your c): I was always going. It shows repeated action, over a long period of time. That is what I think you wanted to say.

a) is incorrect grammar - you are talking about the past, so you can't say "go." I always go the library on Thursdays -- that would work.

b) is okay, but seems like it's either a response to a question (Where did you go for books when you were a teenager?) or that there's something missing.

c) is just right.

Malinka · Answer

Hello, Grammar Geek.
I'm a bit confused by your explanation

. I thought that we use the past simple when we talk about repeated actions in the past: e.g. I went past her house every day.
And we use the past continuos 1) if the situation was temporary: e.g. To get fit for the race, I was going to the sports centre every day;
2) if we are unhappy about something, or we want to exaggerate some situation:
e.g. They were constantly having parties untill the early hours of the morning.

So, the question is whether we can use the past continuous to speak about repeated actions in the past when we discuss our childhood or youth and should we consider childhood or youth as temporary situations?

Thanks!!

BarbaraPA · Answer

Let's all thank the good lord above that the teenage years are indeed temporary.

It's similar to how we use "would."

I would go to the library all the time when I was a kid.

I was always going to the library when I was a kid.

Which sentence is correct..pls help

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