2. Certain verbs can change meaning
when used in the Preterite Tense.
ïŒ Saber Present Tense = âto knowâ
Preterite Tense =âfound outâ
ïŒ Querer Present Tense = âto wantâ
Preterite Tense = âtriedâ
No Querer Preterite Tense = ârefusedâ
3. Other verbs have different meanings
based on which past tense is used.
couldnât do,
tried and failed
No
poder
couldnât do,
wasnât able
No
poder
accomplished,
managed to do
poder
could do,
was able
poder
met
conocer
knew
conocer
PreteriteImperfect
4. To talk about intentions in the past,
use the Imperfect of ir a + infinitive.
ïŒIba a comprar un coche nuevo, pero
estaba muy caro.
I was going to buy a new car, but it
was very expensive.
5. To express action that was going on in the
past, the Imperfect Progressive can be used.
ïŒThis tense is formed as follows:
Imperfect Tense of
Estar
estaba estĂĄbamos
estabas estabaĂs
estaba estaban -Ir Verbs
end with âiendoâ
-Er Verbs
end with âandoâ-Ar Verbs
Present Participle
(-ing form)