Expressing Past Intentions And Responsibility In Spanish

Front 1

To express that you were going to do something and did not do it.

Back 1

Use the imperfect:
ir + a + infinitive

*Think: imperfect is for uncompleted actions

Front 2

Example

Back 2

Juan iba a salir con Ana (pero decidío quedarse en casa).
--> Juan was going to go out with Ana (but decided to stay home).

Do not need "pero" since by using "ir + a + infinitive" it is assumed that you didn't complete the action.

Front 3

To express something you had to do and perhaps did not do.

Back 3

Use imperfect
tener + que + infinitive

Front 4

Example

Back 4

Tenía que estudiar, (pero me acosté)
--> I was supposed to study, (but instead, I went to bed).

Front 5

Saber vs. Conocer

Back 5

Both mean to know, but when used with either past tense their meanings change.

Front 6

Saber =

present: to know (a fact)

Back 6

Saber =

preterit: to have learned

imperfect: knew (a fact, as in "I knew that")

Front 7

Conocer =

present: to know (a person)

Back 7

Conocer =

preterit: to have met

imperfect: knew (a person)

Front 8

Supe la verdad anoche
--> I learned the truth last night.

Back 8

Yo sabía la verdad
--> I knew the truth.

Front 9

Conocí a Carolos ayer
--> I met Carlos yesterday.

Back 9

Yo conocía a Carlos.
--> I knew Carlos.