3.2: Verbs that change meaning in the preterite

3

3.2
Verbs that change meaning in the preterite
estructura

ANTE TODO

estructura

3.2-1

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The verbs conocer, saber, poder,

and querer change meanings when used in the

preterite. Because of this, each of them

corresponds to more than one verb in

English, depending on its tense.

Verbs that change meaning in the preterite

3

3.2
Verbs that change meaning in the preterite

3.2-2

© by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.

Present

Preterite

to know; to be acquainted with

Conozco a esa pareja.
I know that couple.

to meet

Conocí a esa pareja ayer.
I met that couple yesterday.

to know information;

to know how to do something
Sabemos la verdad.
We know the truth.

to find out; to learn

Supimos la verdad anoche.
We found out (learned) the truth
last night.

to be able; can

Podemos hacerlo.
We can do it.

to manage; to succeed (could and did)

Pudimos hacerlo ayer.
We managed to do it yesterday.

to want; to love

Quiero ir, pero tengo que trabajar.
I want to go, but I have to work.

to try

Quise evitarlo, pero fue imposible.
I tried to avoid it, but it was impossible.

conocer

saber

poder

querer

Verbs that change meaning in the preterite

Verbs that change meaning in the preterite

3

3.2
Verbs that change meaning in the preterite
estructuraestructura

¡Atención! In the preterite, the verbs poder and

querer have different meanings, depending on

whether they are used in affirmative or negative

sentences.

3.2-3

© by Vista Higher Learning, Inc. All rights reserved.

pude

I succeeded

no pude I failed (to)
quise

I tried (to)

no quise

I refused (to)

Verbs that change meaning in the preterite