The shop wasn't/didn't open yesterday

hirashin

Sempai

Donor

8 Apr 2004

2,721

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• 21 Mar 2017

• #1

Dear native English speakers
Would both be used? If so, what's the difference in meaning between them?
(1a) The shop wasn't open yesterday
(1b) The shop didn't open yesterday.

How about these?
(2a) The shop isn't open on Mondays.
(2b) The shop doesn't open on Mondays.

Hirashin

 

S

SomeCallMeChris

先輩

Ten-year veteran

5 May 2013

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509

• 21 Mar 2017

• #2

There's no effective difference and they're all acceptable.

Of course, in general, didn't/doesn't implies volition more so than isn't/wasn't, but in these particular sentences that doesn't really matter.

 

hirashin

Sempai

Donor

8 Apr 2004

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• 21 Mar 2017

• Thread starter
• #3

Thank you for the help, SomeCallMeChris.

 

mdchachi

Moderator

Moderator

Twenty-year veteran

6 Mar 2003

9,319

9,447

• 22 Mar 2017

• #4

hirashin said:

Dear native English speakers
Would both be used? If so, what's the difference in meaning between them?
(1a) The shop wasn't open yesterday
(1b) The shop didn't open yesterday.

How about these?
(2a) The shop isn't open on Mondays.
(2b) The shop doesn't open on Mondays.

Click to expand...

I feel that 1b implies that the shop was supposed to be open yesterday but it didn't open due to some unusual happenstance. 2a and 2b are the same to me.

 

hirashin

Sempai

Donor

8 Apr 2004

2,721

63

• 22 Mar 2017

• Thread starter
• #5

Thanks for the new information, mdchachi.