grammar in context 2

[hela]

Dear teachers,

“The family soon settled into a relaxing routine. Each morning Stevenson (1) would get up / used to get up early and take them out for long walks (2) over / on (?) the hills.”
Would you please tell me :

1) If it’s true that the difference between “used to” and “would” is that “used to” expresses a past habit that is no longer true today; and that “would” expresses a past habit that might still be taking place today?

2) Which preposition is best? If both are possible what would be the difference between them, please?

3) "Although he (a) had lived / had been living / lived abroad for many years, in 1881 he returned to the land of his birth for a holiday. With him (b) were / was (? = what’s the rule for concord here?) his American wife Fanny, whom he had met five years earlier in France, and his stepchildren from Franny’s first marriage."

Many thanks,
Hela

[Tdol]

1- Yes, 'would' works here
2- Over (or in)
3- had lived
4- I'd say you could use either- were for numerical acuracy and was because it's next to a singular.

[hela]

Thanks tdol for your answer. Would it be possible to tell me WHY you have made such choices ?

1) the difference between "would" and "used to"? When should I use one or the other?

2) What's the difference in meaning between "over" and "in" ? Why is it not possible to use "on"?

3) Why do you prefer "had lived" to the other forms?

Sorry to bother you but your explanations would be very useful to me.
Kind regards,
Hela

[Tdol]

1- Here, your reasoning about it not necessarily being finished is why I made the choice.
2- 'Over' sounds longer than 'in' to me.
3- It's prior to the date, which pushes us towards the past perfect, and I se no reason for the progressive form- it's finished and I don't see a need for any emphasis, so the simple works for me.

[hela]

Thank you very much, tdol.

[Tdol]

You're welcome, Hela.