Verbs that change meaning in the preterit and the imperfect
These verbs are: 1- Conocer 2- Saber 3- Poder 4- No poder 5- Querer 6- No querer
Conocer PretéritoImperfecto TO MEET Conocí a su novio. I met her boyfriend. TO KNOW Ya conocía a su novio. I already knew her boyfriend
Saber PretéritoImperfecto TO FIND OUT (to know for the first time) Supimos la verdad. We found out the truth. TO KNOW Sabíamos la verdad. We already knew the truth.
Poder PretéritoImperfecto TO BE ABLE/ SUCCEED Pude visitarlos frecuentemente. I was able to visit them frequently. TO BE ABLE Podía visitarlos los viernes. I could visit them on Fridays (but you might not have)
No Poder PretéritoImperfecto COULD NOT/ FAILED No pude visitarlos. I couldn’t visit them. (tried, but failed) NOT BE ABLE No podía visitarlos los viernes. I couldn’t visit them on Fridays. (not even tried)
Querer PretéritoImperfecto TO ATTEMPT/ TRY Quise verte. I attempted/ tried to see you. TO WANT Quería verte. I wanted to see you (wish, desire)
No Querer PretéritoImperfecto TO REFUSE No quise verte. I refused to see you. NOT TO WANT No quería verte. I didn’t want to see you (wish, desire)
Practica 1- I didn't know the story (saber) 2- They tried to finish it on time. (querer) 3- I met your sister yesterday. (conocer) 4- Diego didn't want to go to the beach. (no querer) 5- She was able to help you with the project (poder) 6- Ramón refused to play. (no querer)
Practica 1- I didn't know the story (saber) 2- They tried to finish it on time. (querer) 3- I met your sister yesterday. (conocer) 4- Diego didn't want to go to the beach. (no querer) 5- She managed to help you with the project (poder) 6- Ramón refused to play. (no querer) Yo no sabía el cuento. Ellos quisieron terminar a tiempo. Conocí a tu hermana ayer. Diego no quería ir a la playa. Ella pudo ayudarte con el proyecto. Ramón no quiso jugar.