We can use the verb querer (to want) in El Pretérito Indefinido or El Pretérito Imperfecto but the meaning will be different.
Querer in affirmative sentences:
See how in El Pretérito Imperfecto querer keeps its usual meaning (to want) but in El Pretérito Indefinido the nuance is "to try".
Querer in negative sentences:
See how the meaning changes from "want" to a stronger "refuse" when used in El Pretérito Indefinido.
Have a look at these other examples using both tenses:
Mis hijas quisieron jugar con la video-consola sin mi permiso.My daughters tried to play with the video game without my permission.
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Examples and resources
Mis padres querían salir temprano para evitar el tráfico.My parents wanted to set off early to avoid traffic.
Daniel quiso sorprender a su novia con unas flores bonitas.Daniel tried to surprise/had the intention of surprising his girlfriend with some pretty flowers.
Daniel quería sorprender a su novia con unas flores bonitas.Daniel wanted to surprise his girlfriend with some pretty flowers.
Ellos susurraban porque no querían despertar al bebé.They were whispering because they didn't want to wake up the baby.
