Verbs That Change Meaning in the Preterite and the Imperfect Chapter 2
Verbs That Change in Meaning from Preterite to Imperfect Tenses A few Spanish verbs have different meanings in the imperfect and the preterite tenses: SABER CONOCER QUERER NO QUERER PODER
SABER Imperfect – “knew” ¿Sabías que el concierto empezaba tarde? Did you know that the concert began late? Preterite – “found out, learned” Sí, supe ayer que empezaba tarde. Yes, I found out that it began late.
CONOCER Imperfect – “knew (somebody)” Pedro conocía muy bien a esa actriz. Pedro knew that actress very well. Preterite – “met (somebody) for the first time” Luis la conoció el año pasado. Luis met her last year.
QUERER Imperfect – “wanted to” Luis quería comprar las entradas hoy. Luis wanted to buy the tickets today. Preterite – “tried to, attempted to” Yo quise comprarlas, pero me enfermé. I tried to buy them but I got sick.
NO QUERER Imperfect – “didn’t want to” No querían ver esa obra de teatro. They didn’t want to see that play. Preterite – “refused to” No quisieron ver esa obra de teatro. They refused to see that play.
PODER Imperfect – “was able to, could” Ella podía aprender la letra de la canción. She was able to learn the letter of the song. Preterite – “managed to, succeeded in” Ella pudo aprender la letra de esa canción. She succeeded in learning the letter of that song.