Differences in Meaning between Imperfect and Preterite Verbs

Question

Those of us who have struggled or who are struggling with learning Spanish often have a difficult time learning when to use the imperfect past tense and when to use the preterite past tense. (They’re almost as bad as ser and estar, right?) And as if that’s not challenging enough, some of the more commonly used verbs actually change their meaning between these two simple past tenses.

I was frustrated when I was taking 200-level Spanish courses because this textbook had a list of these three exceptions, and that textbook had a list of those four exceptions, etc. So, at one point, I compiled a list of them.

The question is: Can anyone think of any other examples or words that should be on this list? Also, are there any corrections or constructive criticism?

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There is also iba = I was going to (do something, but didn’t) and hice = I did something. Am I right on this? Can iba have other meanings? Admittedly, this one is maybe a bit of a stretch, because it’s contrasting the imperfect of ir with the preterite of hacer.

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Infinitive	Imperfect/Preterite	Contrasted Meanings
saber	sabía	I knew (a fact, how to)
	supe	I found out, I learned
no saber	no sabía	I didn’t know (a fact, how to)
	no supe	I never knew
conocer	conocía	I knew, I was acquainted with
	conocí	I met
no conocer	no conocía	I never knew, I was never acquainted with
	no conocí	I never met
querer	quería	I wanted (outcome undetermined)
	quise	I wanted (and tried)
no querer	no quería	I didn’t want (outcome undetermined)
	no quise	I refused
poder	podía	I was capable (outcome undetermined)
	pude	I succeeded
no poder	no podía	I wasn’t capable (outcome undetermined)
	no pude	I tried and couldn’t
tener	tenía	I had (in my possession)
	tuve	I got, I received
no tener	no tenía	I didn’t have (in my possession)
	no tuve	I didn’t get, I didn’t receive
tener que	tenía que	I was supposed to
	tuve que	I had to (and did)
no tener que	no tenía que	I wasn’t supposed to
	no tuve que	I didn’t have to (and didn’t)
costar	costaba	it was priced
	costó	it cost (and was purchased)

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Thanks in advance for your help! —Brian

I don't now where you found all of these alternative meanings. It seems strange to me. I hope somebody comments but I find it hard to believe that the meanings are not just classically different, but are totally different. - Pablo-Peligroso, Mar 15, 2013

Hi Pablo. Well, these all came from college-level Spanish textbooks. I think it’s an important topic; but unfortunately, one that is not talked about much. These changes in meaning, though, can be crucial in terms of understanding. - brian5764, Mar 15, 2013

It's College Level! I'm not even in high school! - llamalovers000, Mar 17, 2013

Me too i am in 6th Grade in may i am going to 7th grade! - 0080b918, Mar 30, 2013

Answer 1

An earlier discussion on this topic.

changes

Thanks for this link, Swampy. I will peruse this discussion mañana en la mañana when I’m up and taking coffee. - brian5764, Mar 18, 2013

Answer 2

Swampy said: An earlier discussion on this topic:

(Link again here: Verbs That Change Their Meaning in the Preterite.)

Well, Swampy, I studied the question and the thirteen answers of the previous discussion. Very interesting. Thanks again.

1. The issue started out differently, with the contrast between the present and the preterite, not the imperfect and the preterite. Yet the bottom line, as you know, is the same. And sure enough, the conversation segued to the imperfect and the preterite. And, one of the members, a native Spanish speaker, did confirm that in the negative preterite, no quise does mean “I refused,” not just “I didn’t want to.”

2. A debate then ensued as to the validity of this concept in general: Do we need to translate to different verbs in English due to differences in innuendo or connotation in meaning brought about by changes of tense in Spanish, or not? A friend of mine who is a native Spanish speaker, who is at the 99th percentile level in English-speaking, who has a Ph.D. in Teaching Languages, and who co-wrote some of the textbooks that I pulled most of the verbs on the above list from says, “Yes.” So I’m going to go with that. Although, while I do share her opinion, I am certainly in no position to argue the case!

Answer 3

This really needs a native speaker to comment.

Often such members do not respond.

Now is your chance to become "local" heroes. ji ji

Lol - rac1, Mar 17, 2013

Answer 4

I would love to see answers to this.