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