Podrías or podías

Mark D.A2Kwiziq community member

Podrías or podías

I was taught podrías means could when talking about the future and podía means could when talking about the past. Is this wrong?

Asked 4 years ago
Marsha C.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

See lessons:

Using poder in El pretérito Indefinido vs El pretérito Imperfecto (could in past actions)

Using poder to say could [do something] for polite requests and suggestions (conditional simple)

Michele M.B2Kwiziq community member

I was taught the same thing and now I'm confused, because my test result seems to be telling me that I could have used "podrías haber traido" a bottle of wine, when talking about an opportunity in the past that was missed.  My inclination is to stick with what I was originally taught, and be a little more wary of Kwiziq's guidance...unless anyone can direct me to another teaching resource that clarifies this more.  Many thanks.

Michele M.B2Kwiziq community member

I was taught the same thing and now I'm confused, because my test result seems to be telling me that I could have used "podrías haber traido" a bottle of wine, when talking about an opportunity in the past that was missed.  My inclination is to stick with what I was originally taught, and be a little more wary of Kwiziq's guidance...unless anyone can direct me to another teaching resource that clarifies this more.  Many thanks.

Mark D. asked:

Podrías or podías

I was taught podrías means could when talking about the future and podía means could when talking about the past. Is this wrong?

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