conocer (imperf)
I knew, was acquainted with
conocer (preterit)
I met, made the acquaintance of
costar (imperfect)
it cost (before purchasing)
costar (preterit)
it cost (after purchasing, you actually bought it)
poder (imperfect)
could, was able to (was in the position to)
poder (preterit, pud-)
tried it, was able to, and did it
no poder (imperfect)
was not able to, could not
no poder (preterit)
tried, but couldnt
querer (imperfect)
wanted to, desired to
querer (preterit)
tried to
no querer (imperfect)
didn't want to
no querer (quis-)
refused, would not
saber (imperfect)
knew, knew how to, had the knowledge that
saber (preterit)
Learned, found out
tener (imperfect)
I had (in my possesion)
tener (preterit)
I had, received
tener que (imperfect)
had to (but didn't necessarily do it)
tener que (preterit)
had to (and did do it)