Question 1

Why is it pudo (preterite) instead of podía (imperfect)?

Accepted Answer

Using the preterite pudo emphasizes the outcome of a specific event that ended in the past. Here, Nadie pudo means nobody managed or succeeded in finishing it last night. If we used the imperfect podía, it would just describe the general inability or circumstances at the time, without focusing on the final result.

Question 2

Why isn't there a no in this sentence to make a double negative?

Accepted Answer

Spanish does use double negatives, but only when the negative word comes after the verb. Because nadie (no one) comes before the verb pudo, we don't add no. If the sentence order was flipped, it would be No pudo finalizar el informe definitivo nadie anoche.

Question 3

Could I use terminar instead of finalizar here?

Accepted Answer

Yes, both mean to finish or to end. Terminar is much more common in everyday speech, while finalizar sounds slightly more formal or professional, making it a great fit for talking about completing a work report (un informe).

Question 4

Does definitivo just mean 'definitive'?

Accepted Answer

It does, but it is very often translated as 'final' in English contexts like 'the final report' (el informe definitivo). It is used to describe a version of something that is fully concluded and won't be changed or revised anymore.

Question 5

Since this lesson is about deadlines, how would I say no one could finish the report 'for tomorrow'?

Accepted Answer

You would use the preposition para to express the deadline. The sentence would become: Nadie pudo finalizar el informe para mañana. We always use para, never por, when talking about temporal limits or due dates.

Nadie pudo finalizar el informe definitivo anoche.

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