There was / used to be a library over there

  1. There used to be a library over there.
  2. There was a library over there.
    What’s the difference in meaning between the above two sentences?
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Both have the same meaning, but I think #1 with “used to” emphasizes the fact that the library is no longer there.

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Just an additional point - ‘used to’ often indicates a sense of regret that something is no longer there whereas ‘was’ simply states the fact that something has gone.

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Yes, ‘used to’ could reflect sort of personal experience!

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