Verbs that change meaning when used in the preterite or imperfect
poder, saber, conocer, querer  

These four verbs will change meaning depending on which past tense is used.  Observe the differences.

poder - to be able

pretérito

imperfecto
Ella pudo trabajar. Ella podía trabajar.

She was able to work.
She managed to work.  
She actually did it.

She was able to work.
She was capable of working.
She didn’t manage to work, even though she was capable of it.


saber

pretérito

imperfecto
Supimos el nombre. Sabíamos el nombre.

We found out the name.

The meaning changes from "to know" to "to find out."

We knew the name.

The meaning doesn't change when used in the imperfect.

 

conocer

pretérito

imperfecto
Conocí al niño. Conocía al niño.

I met the boy.

The meaning changes from "to know" to "to meet."

I knew the boy.

The meaning doesn't change in the imperfect.

 

Querer actually has four different translations when used in the past tense.  Not only will the meaning change between the preterite and the imperfect, it will also change depending on whether or not the verb is used affirmatively or negatively.

querer

pretérito

imperfecto
afirmativo negativo afirmativo negativo

Yo quise trabajar.

 No quise trabajar. Yo quería trabajar. No quería trabajar.
I wanted to work and I really tried. I made the effort. I refused to work. I wanted to work. I felt like working. I had the desire. (But I made no physical effort.) I didn’t want to work.I didn’t feel like working. I didn’t try.
 

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[Lake Tahoe Community College]  [World Languages Dept.] [LTCC Study Abroad]
Created and maintained by N Barclay     01/27/2010