"nunca pense que podia pasar" - why using pretérito imperfecto ?

Question

Hi,

Was told this sentence by my Mexican friend, and I'm not sure why the pretérito indefinido was used for the verb pensar while the pretérito imperfecto was used for the verb poder.

I was told that almost always when using "nunca" it comes with the pretérito perfecto. like : I have never seen this move = nunca he visto esta pelicula. Because "never" tells something in a time where I'm still at, in my life.

Moreover, why not say the entire phrase like "nunca pense que pudo pasar" - again, not sure why the use of the imperfect here.

Any explanation ? Thanks

Idanr correction to 2nd sentence I think you meant to say I was 'told' (not used!) almost always etc...I hope this helps :) - FELIZ77, Sep 2, 2014

You're right :) thanks - idanr84, Sep 2, 2014

You're very welcome :) - FELIZ77, Sep 2, 2014

Answer 1

I personally would use conditional (1) or subjunctive (2), not imperfect.

Nunca pensé que podría pasar. (1) - I never thought that could happen.

Nunca pensé que pudiera pasar. (2) - I never thought that could (remotely) happen.

Feel free to correct my English.

I vote for you, because, this is very flexible in Spanish, description, doubt, possibility, each has it's own form.. - annierats, Sep 2, 2014

Your English is perfect, amigo. :) - rac1, Sep 2, 2014

Answer 2

Because it is a plain descriptive statement in the past. Imperfect. It is best not to look for problems, if it is a plain description, imperfect.

This does not mean it could not be said in several other ways, of course.

:) - FELIZ77, Sep 2, 2014

Answer 3

Hello Idanr,

Welcome to the SpanishDict forum

"nunca pense que podia pasar" - why using pretérito imperfecto ?

It should be written out wth the correct accents:

Nunca pensé que podía pasar etc...?

I agree with relaxing cup about the use of the tenses

I hope this helps