Present vs. Imperfect Meanings

Question 1

Poder/No Poder

imp vs pret

Answer 1

Imperfect:

I could/was able to

No: I couldn’t/ wasn’t able to

Preterite:

I could and did (I managed to/accomplished)

No: I couldn’t and didn’t (I failed)

(pud-)

Question 2

Conocer

imp. vs pret.

Answer 2

Imperfect:

I was familiar with (I knew)

Preterite:

I became familiar with for the first time (I met)

Question 3

Querer/No Querer

imp. vs pret.

Answer 3

Imperfect:

I wanted

No: I didn’t want

Preterite:

I wanted and acted on that desire (I tried)

No: I didn’t want and didn’t act on that desire (I refuse)

(quis-)

Question 4

Tener que

imp. vs. pret.

Answer 4

Imperfect:

I had to (do something) (I had the obligation)

Preterite:

I had to and did (do something)

(tuv-)

Question 5

Saber

imp. vs. pret.

Answer 5

Imperfect:

I knew (a fact)

Preterite:

I knew (a fact) for the first time (I found out)

(sup-)