Knowing, wanting, being able

sabía · quería · podía

knew, wanted, could· tap a form for the whole table

Say these out loud

Why it works

Sabía, quería, podía, conocía describe a state of mind that lasts.

This is the normal, everyday use of these verbs in the past.

The preterite of these verbs means something different — the next lesson.

Why not supe

supe que la reunión era hoy

I found out that the meeting was today

Marks the moment you found out. Sabía is the state of knowing, which is the everyday one.

In a full sentence

Quería terminar el informe antes de la comida.
I wanted to finish the report before lunch.
Use imperfect for an ongoing want in the past.
Podía trabajar desde casa los viernes.
I was able to work from home on Fridays.
Use imperfect for a past ability or possibility.
Sabía que el metro cerraba a medianoche.
I knew that the metro closed at midnight.
Use imperfect for knowledge already held.
Ella quería reservar una mesa en la terraza.
She wanted to book a table on the terrace.
Use imperfect for her ongoing intention.

5 gaps to fill, then 3 sentences from the English · say or type each one