던 ② — had been -ing

Korean Grammar in Use

This expression is also used to indicate the recollection of something that was started in the past but has not ended yet. In such cases, it is used together with a word indicating a specific time or day in the past, such as 지난달, 지난주, 어제, 아까 and 저번에.

Details

1. This expression is also used to indicate something that was often done in the past but is not anymore. In such cases, it is used together with expressions of repetition such as 여러 번, 자주, 가끔, and 항상.

우리가 자주 가던 카페에 다시 가 보고 싶어요.

I want to go to that cafe that we used to frequent.

Here, the expression refers to the cafe that the speakers used to go to often but do not visit anymore.

3. This expression can also be used to indicate that something is not new but rather something that has been used from a certain time in the past until the present.

이것은 제 조카가 입던 옷인데 제 아이에게 줬어요,

These clothes are what my nephew used to wear, and (now) I've given them to my son.

이 자동차는 아버지가 타시던 거예요.

This car is what my father used to drive.

4. This expression is not used for things that have only occurred once and do not repeat.

이곳은 제가 결혼하던 곳이에요. ✕

5. This expression is also used to refer to a behavior or act that has often been repeated from a certain point in the past.

오늘도 우리가 자주 가던 카페에서 만납시다.

Let's meet at the cafe where we' often met.

Here, the expression means that the speakers have been going to the cafe often from some time in the past.

The differences between -던 and -(으)ㄴ which expresses the past tense, are summarized as follows.