Ongoing Past Ability: "Puteam să"
When dealing with an injury, you often talk about what you could or couldn't do over a stretch of time. To express a general, ongoing state of ability (or inability) in the past, use the Imperfect form of the verb a putea: puteam să.
Unlike the impersonal trebuia from the previous lesson, a putea changes to match the person who has the ability (e.g., eu puteam, el/ea putea).
| For a month after the fracture, I couldn't use my left leg at all. | Timp de o lună după fractură, nu puteam să folosesc deloc piciorul stâng. |
Specific Achievements: "Am putut să"
When you finally hit a recovery milestone, you are no longer talking about a general state. You are talking about a specific, completed achievement—something you managed or succeeded in doing on a particular occasion. For this, use the Perfect Compus form: am putut să.
| The surgery was yesterday, and today I was finally able to sleep. | Operația a fost ieri, iar astăzi am putut în sfârșit să dorm. |
| The doctor removed the cast, so I was able to wash myself. | Doctorul a scos gipsul, așa că am putut să mă spăl. |
Tracking Progress
The difference between these two past tenses is most obvious when you compare a past limitation with a new breakthrough. Use the Imperfect (puteam să) to set the scene with your ongoing inability, and the Perfect Compus (am putut să) for the specific moment of success.
| I couldn't walk at all, but today I was able to take a step. | Nu puteam să merg deloc, dar azi am putut să fac un pas. |
| I couldn't bend my knee, but today I was able to. | Nu puteam să îndoi genunchiul, dar azi am putut. |
