Verbs that change meaning in preterite practice

[cmon]

Understand now, thanks everyone

[bobjenkins]

Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar

"Para poder" is used when the one "who can" is not the same as the one who speaks. When it's the same person, one uses the subjunctive.

Me tomé el día libre del trabajo para poder ir al entierro/funeral. The context will tell if the funeral is going to be held or if it's over.


Mi hermana cuidó a mis hijos para que (yo) pudiera ir al funeral.
My sister took care of my children so I could go to the funeral.

Abrí la ventana para que pudiéramos respirar aire fresco.
I opened the window so we could breathe some fresh air.

Buen consejo amiga! No lo supe, no le digas a nadie

[gramatica]

Originally Posted by cmon
I knew the man that used to sell vegetables at the downtown market.
Yo conocía el hombre que vendía las verduras en el mercado centro.

I met him 3 years ago.
Yo lo conocí hace tres años.

When did you find out that he died?
Cuándo supiste que él murió/había muerto?

I've know it since yesterday.
lo sabía desde ayer. Lo he sabido hace ayer.

I knew him very well because I had to go to the market 2 times per week this past year.
Yo lo conocía muy bien porque tenía que ir al mercado dos veces por semana el año pasado.

Yesterday morning, I had a phone call from his wife.
Ayer por la mañana, tuve una llamada telefónica de su esposa.

I tried to answer the phone, but I couldn't get to it in time.
Quise contestar el teléfono pero no pude llegarle a tiempo.

I wanted to talk to her.
Quería hablar consigo.

I regretted that I missed her call.
Yo sentí que falté su llamada telefónica. (Try another verb)

I felt sympathy for her loss.
Yo sentía compasión para su pérdida.

I was able to speak with her later on in the day.
Pude hablar consigo más tarde en el día.

I took the day off from work so I could go to the funeral.
Me tomé el día libre del trabajo así que podía ir al entierro.

Thanks much
I've highlighted what needs to be corrected.

Could you please explain why these are wrong? Should they be in the preterite?

Thank you

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by Ambarina

Did you catch my drift when I said that "could" is not the past of "can"?

In context (preterite) you are right, but very misleading as a general statement because it can be an imperfect, both indicative and subjunctive.