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Querer Preterite Practice

Querer (to want, to love) in the preterite: 14 free exercises with an explanation after every answer, plus the full conjugation table.

14 exercisesStem-changing e→ieA1 – A2 level
IWhat to watch for

In the preterite, querer swaps its stem for quis- and takes the irregular endings with no written accents: quise, quisiste, quiso, quisimos, quisieron. Watch the third person — it is quiso, not quisó, because irregular preterites are stressed on the stem.

The bigger trap is meaning. In the preterite, quise usually means 'I tried to' and no quise means 'I refused to': quise abrir la puerta = I tried to open the door; no quiso firmar = he refused to sign. Keep that shift in mind as you work through the sentences.

IIConjugation
quererPreterite
yo
quise
quisiste
él / ella / usted
quiso
nosotros
quisimos
vosotros
quisisteis
ellos / ustedes
quisieron
e→ie in the present (quiero), preterite stem quis-, future querr- with double r.
IIIPractice exercises

Practice.

Answer first, then read the explanation. Don't skip it — that's the whole point.

Exercise 01 of 14Tag: Irregular stem quis-
Fill in the blank

Anoche yo _____ llamarte, pero se me acabó la batería. (querer)

Last night I tried to call you, but my battery died.

Exercise 02 of 14Tag: Tú form
Fill in the blank

¿Por qué no _____ tú venir a la fiesta el sábado? (querer)

Why didn't you want to come to the party on Saturday?

Exercise 03 of 14Tag: Meaning: refused
Fill in the blank

Valentina no _____ firmar el contrato y se fue de la reunión. (querer)

Valentina refused to sign the contract and left the meeting.

Exercise 04 of 14Tag: Nosotros form
Fill in the blank

El año pasado nosotros _____ mudarnos, pero no encontramos casa. (querer)

Last year we tried to move, but we didn't find a house.

Exercise 05 of 14Tag: Meaning: refused
Fill in the blank

Mis vecinos no _____ bajar la música hasta que llegó la policía. (querer)

My neighbors refused to turn down the music until the police arrived.

Exercise 06 of 14Tag: Meaning: tried to
Fill in the blank

Ayer yo _____ abrir la puerta del carro, pero estaba congelada. (querer)

Yesterday I tried to open the car door, but it was frozen.

Exercise 07 of 14Tag: No extra -s trap
Fill in the blank

Tú no _____ escucharme aquel día y ahora te arrepientes. (querer)

You refused to listen to me that day, and now you regret it.

Exercise 08 of 14Tag: No accents
Fill in the blank

De repente el niño no _____ comer nada más. (querer)

Suddenly the boy refused to eat anything else.

Exercise 09 of 14Tag: Nosotros form
Fill in the blank

Mi hermano y yo _____ comprar boletos, pero ya estaban agotados. (querer)

My brother and I tried to buy tickets, but they were already sold out.

Exercise 10 of 14Tag: Irregular stem quis-
Fill in the blank

Al final, los abuelos _____ quedarse en su casa de siempre. (querer)

In the end, the grandparents chose to stay in their lifelong home.

Exercise 11 of 14Tag: Meaning: refused
Fill in the blank

En 2020 yo no _____ vacunarme al principio, pero luego cambié de opinión. (querer)

In 2020 I refused to get vaccinated at first, but later I changed my mind.

Exercise 12 of 14Tag: Completed intention
Fill in the blank

Andrés _____ despedirse de todos antes de subir al avión. (querer)

Andrés made a point of saying goodbye to everyone before boarding the plane.

Exercise 13 of 14Tag: Meaning: refused
Fill in the blank

Las niñas no _____ dormir la siesta ayer por la tarde. (querer)

The girls refused to take a nap yesterday afternoon.

Exercise 14 of 14Tag: Tú form
Fill in the blank

Aquella mañana tú _____ ayudarme y nunca lo voy a olvidar. (querer)

That morning you were willing to help me, and I will never forget it.

Every answer is explained

Not just a green check. A short paragraph telling you why.

No gamification

No streaks, no points, no leaderboards. Just questions.

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VKeep practicing