02 Spanish Lesson - Preterite - Irregulars - Poder

This video covers another verb irregular in the preterite: poder (to be able, can). This verb is most popular with my students in such present tense phrases as '¿Puedo ir al baño?' (Can I go to the bathroom?) o '¿Puedo ir a la fuente de agua?' (Can I go to the water fountain?). But of course those aren't really useful in this video since we're going over the preterite (a past tense) of poder.


Thanks for watching! Enjoy!

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Let me know if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions about this video!


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Category:

Education

Tags:

• sr jordan
• spanish
• español
• grammar
• gramática
• conjugation
• year 2
• preterite
• irregulares
• poder
• can
• could
• puedo
• pude

[dredreyy]

hey! this was really helpful - thanks! but, could you explain to me why "dormir" gets conjugated in the example "pudieron dormise". i thought the second verb stays in the infinitive.

[tontitofrito]

Good question. If you watch the first few 02 level videos on 'reflexives', you'll notice that 'se' at the end of the verb changes according to who we talk about when in front of the verb (me, te, se, nos, se).  It also gets changed even when the verb it's attached to doesn't change...

Ex:

No pude dormirme. => I couldn't fall asleep.

No pudiste dormirte => You couldn't fall asleep.

Él no pudo dormirse => He couldn't fall asleep.

Nosotros no pudimos dormirnos => We couldn't fall asleep.

etc..

[samthomalan]

@tontitofrito This is all very interesting. I leant to speak Spanish in Spain. I can certainly hear and notice the differences in accent, and even the way that things are said. Where are you originally from?

[sphinx2nt3]

gracias. it helps a lot.. add more.

[tontitofrito]

Umm... kind of but different.

I suggest you watch the videos on reflexive verbs. I seriously think it will make more sense if you do. (check my Spanish II video playlist)

[cosmetica529]

Another great video that reinforces my studies. I really look forward to your lessons - thanks!