I used to... - Imperfect Tense VS Soler

Question

I was just wondering how common (if at all) is the verb "soler" in Mexico? I have lived here for about two years now, and I always here the imperfect tense to describe things that someone used to do.

I don't know if it is just the city I am in, or if using the imperfect is the norm here.

Does anybody know?

Answer 1

Mmm, I don't use "soler" a lot but I understand it perfectly and I don't think it's odd. I usually say. Acostumbro jugar or Normalmente juego when using imperfect but yo suelo is also correct.

Thank you :) - NikkiLR, Mar 7, 2011

Answer 2

I see there is a slight nuance to this, but I guess we simply use "soler" more often than other countries.

I was hoping for a sharper distinction. I have long been under the impression that "soler"+inf was preferred over the simple imperfect when speaking of habitual (repeated) events as opposed to some condition that was true in the past. Thus: "Cuando era joven vivía en Texas." (not solía vivir unless I lived in many places but at many distinct times I lived in Texas.) By the same token "Cuando era niño solamente hablaba inglés". vs "Cuando vivíamos juntos solía hablar con mi hija en francés. " (sometimes we spoke English, sometimes Japanese but we frequently spoke French)

There was a thread recently in which the sentence "Manchester used to be an industrial city." Several hispanoparlantes were in favor of (or, at least, had no objection) saying "En el pasado Manchester solía ser industrial." where I would say "En el pasado Manchester era industrial." i.e. There was a (continuous) period in the past when Manchester was industrial but now it isn't. However, for "Rome used to be regularly sacked by barbarians.", I'd use "soler".

Note that while one can use "used to" for both meanings in English but the meanings are not the same. It is when one could substitute "was in the habit" / "was frequently/customarily" that I was taught to use "soler".

P.S. I note that the R A E gives for "soler"

1. intr. defect. Dicho de un ser vivo: Tener costumbre.
2. intr. defect. Dicho de un hecho o de una cosa: Ser frecuente.

Answer 3

I also agree that both are frequently used.

Cuando era niña no comía espinacas.

Cuando era niña no solía comer espinacas.

I see there is a slight nuance to this, but I guess we simply use "soler" more often than other countries.

I think the nuance is that "Soler" is more natural in positive, rather then negative statements. Cuando era niño solía soñar con una princesa madrileña :- ) - 005faa61, Mar 7, 2011

I know they are both frequently used, but I was just wondering about the verb here in MX. I used to have a penpal from Spain, and he was the one that taught me. That is why I was not so sure. Thanks for the answer and the examples. :) - NikkiLR, Mar 7, 2011

Answer 4

If the verb Soler is commonly used, the tense won't make any difference; they will all be used. I agree with Dakie that it's not commonly used in Mexico, but I've heard people from Guatemala use it quite often.

Answer 5

Thanks... I wasn't really sure. I have been avoiding it and sticking with the imperfect, but I wanted to check.

It´s refreshing to hear. Why avoid it? - 005faa61, Mar 7, 2011

Well, from what I can tell, that verb isn't used here (or not very much). Like if I were in Spain, I would avoid used certain verbs there too... Platicar, for example ... People will understand , but you probably will not hear them use that verb. - NikkiLR, Mar 7, 2011

It´s similar to Subjuntivo Pretérito imperfecto or Pretérito ie: "corriera o corriese." Most people in MX use the former, but I know a few people in DF who use the latter and it just makes their use of the language more colorful and extensive - 005faa61, Mar 7, 2011

My hubby uses both depending on which he thinks sounds better in the sentence. But since I am still learning, I want to stick with whatever the norm is here. :) - NikkiLR, Mar 7, 2011

Answer 6

Thanks

But I am talking about the past... for example - Solía escribir VS Escribía