Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence.

I used to swim across the river when I was young.

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

SSC CGL 2022 Tier-I Official Paper (Held On : 03 Dec 2022 Shift 1)

Answer 1

The correct answer is: could swim across

Key Points

Replace "used to" with "could" to correct the sentence.
We use 'when' to refer to a future situation or condition that we are certain of.
Could – is the correct answer because 'could' is used to express ability or a lack of ability.
"Could" is used in past tense because the sentence was in the past tense.
Here in the question, we see that the speaker is expressing his or her ability to swim when he or she was young.
We use "used to" when referring to things in the past which are no longer true.
As a general rule, Nobody ever forgets how to swim. However, the technique and power can fade with time.
Therefore, the past modal "could" should be used here.

Thus, option 3 is the correct answer.

Corrected sentence: I could swim across the river when I was young.