English grammar
Found out, met, tried, didn't manage, refused: the verb shows what happened
Say when you found out, met, tried, managed or refused something, choosing the right verb.
From the scene That day I knew
In short
Knew is a state; found out is the moment you learnt. Met is the first time; didn't manage means you failed.
Your turn
Which one goes with the first time you saw someone?
Options: that night I found out he was brave too · I tried to talk to him · I met him at a party
Show answer
the first time you saw someone → I met him at a party
How it works
In the past simple, the choice of verb shows whether you mean a state or a single event.
Good to know
Knew is a state you already had; found out is the moment you learnt it. Knew someone means you were already acquainted; met is the first time.
Good to know
Tried is an attempt, didn't manage to means it failed, and refused means someone said no.
the moment you learnt it that night I found out he was brave too
Elena
I knew he was shy. That night I found out he was brave too.
Yo sabía que era tímido. Esa noche supe que también era valiente.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
I knew he was shy. (blank).
Options: I tried to talk to him · That night I found out he was brave too · I met him at a party
Show answer
Elena
I knew he was shy. That night I found out he was brave too.
Yo sabía que era tímido. Esa noche supe que también era valiente.
the first time you saw someone I met him at a party
Elena
With Manolo. I met him at a party, in sixty-four.
Con Manolo. Lo conocí en una fiesta, en el sesenta y cuatro.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
With Manolo. (blank), in sixty-four.
Options: That night I found out he was brave too · I tried to talk to him · I met him at a party
Show answer
Elena
With Manolo. I met him at a party, in sixty-four.
Con Manolo. Lo conocí en una fiesta, en el sesenta y cuatro.
an actual attempt I tried to talk to him
Elena
That night I tried to talk to him, but I didn't manage to.
Aquella noche quise hablar con él, pero no pude.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
That night (blank), but I didn't manage to.
Options: I tried to talk to him · That night I found out he was brave too · I met him at a party
Show answer
Elena
That night I tried to talk to him, but I didn't manage to.
Aquella noche quise hablar con él, pero no pude.
tried and failed but I didn't manage to
Elena
That night I tried to talk to him, but I didn't manage to.
Aquella noche quise hablar con él, pero no pude.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
That night I tried to talk to him, (blank).
Options: but I didn't manage to · that night I found out he was brave too · I met him at a party
Show answer
Elena
That night I tried to talk to him, but I didn't manage to.
Aquella noche quise hablar con él, pero no pude.
said no my mother refused to leave me alone
Elena
My mother refused to leave me alone for a single minute.
Mi madre no quiso dejarme sola ni un minuto.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) for a single minute.
Options: That night I found out he was brave too · I met him at a party · My mother refused to leave me alone
Show answer
Elena
My mother refused to leave me alone for a single minute.
Mi madre no quiso dejarme sola ni un minuto.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| the moment you learnt it | that night I found out he was brave too |
|---|---|
| the first time you saw someone | I met him at a party |
| an actual attempt | I tried to talk to him |
| tried and failed | but I didn't manage to |
| said no | my mother refused to leave me alone |
More lines from the story
- ElenaBy sight, yes. He worked at the bakery.De vista, sí. Trabajaba en la panadería.
- NuriaYou didn't know him before?¿No lo conocía de antes?