Maybe a typo

D. A.B1Kwiziq community member

Maybe a typo

A quick question regarding this sentence, Je n'avais pas L'habitude de prendre le train." My answer was "I don't usually take the train." Like saying that I usually drive so I don't usually take the train." The correct answer was "I didn't usually take the train." That just sounds wrong to my ears. Could it be a typo and should have read "I didn't used to take the train." If not can you please explain the latter sentence. Perhaps with an example of two for context. 

Asked 4 years ago
GruffNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Heather, remember the imperfect tense is a past tense. I don't usually take the train is talking about the present which would be "Je ne prends pas d'habitude le train".

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

I don't know, but it sounds alright to me: "At that period, I didn't usually take the train." Of course, "At that period, I didn't use to take the train," is also correct. But whichever one you choose, it needs to be in past tense.

LauraFrench expert and teacher in Kwiziq

"I didn't usually take the train" and "I didn't use to take the train" are both possible translations for this.

D. A. asked:

Maybe a typo

A quick question regarding this sentence, Je n'avais pas L'habitude de prendre le train." My answer was "I don't usually take the train." Like saying that I usually drive so I don't usually take the train." The correct answer was "I didn't usually take the train." That just sounds wrong to my ears. Could it be a typo and should have read "I didn't used to take the train." If not can you please explain the latter sentence. Perhaps with an example of two for context. 

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Clever stuff happening!