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Sat 24 Sep, 2005 05:27 pm
Hello again my dear experts. I have other questions for you.
"In many cities nowadays, food shopping takes very little time. In the past, people used to go (1) to a different shop for each item. For example, you bought (2) meat at a butcher´s shop and fish at a fish market. A fruit market used to sell (3) fruit and vegetables. For dry foods like rice or beans, you had (4) to go to groceries stores." By Jack C. Richards - New Interchange- Cambridge University Press.
Can you tell me if in numbers 1 and 3 you could use the simple past without no difference in meaning. On the other hand, could I use "used to" in numbers 2 and 4 and maintain the same meaning or would the meaning become different by the change?
Thank you.
José Rocha
Do you understand the difference?
"used to" is different from simple past in that it indicates past habit or custom.
I would not change any of them.
'Used to' is the imperfect... A continuous action in the past which is not specified to have finished yet...