Depuis, Pendant, Pour, Il y a
Understanding time expressions in French can be tricky, but they are essential for clear communication. In this post, we break down the differences between these time indicators: Depuis, pendant, pour, Il y a with simple explanations and practical examples. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this guide will help you use these terms with confidence in everyday conversations. Perfect for learners seeking clarity on expressing time in French!
Grammar : Since, During, For, There is
| Depuis | Pendant | Pour | Il y a |
|---|---|---|---|
| Let’s start with the first preposition. | Let’s continue with the second preposition. | Let’s continue with the third preposition. | Now the last one. |
| This preposition is used to talk about an action that started in the past but is still ongoing in the present. | This preposition expresses a complete and limited duration, often in the past or future. | This preposition is used to indicate a planned duration, often in the future. | This French expression is used to talk about a moment in the past. It’s like saying “ago” in English. |
| Example: I have been learning French for 2 years | Example for the past: Yesterday, I worked for 3 hours. | Example: I am going to Paris for a week. | Example: I visited Ottawa 3 months ago. |
| J’apprends le français depuis 2 ans. | Hier, j’ai travaillé pendant 3 heures Je vais être en vacances pendant deux semaines. |
Je pars à Paris pour une semaine. | J’ai visité Ottawa il y a 3 mois. |
| This means I started two years ago and I am still learning today. | This means that I started yesterday and I completed the action. | This means that I intend to stay for a week, but the duration hasn’t happened yet. | This means the action happened 3 months before now. |
| The action started in the past, still ongoing | The action started and ended in the past. | The time expression indicates how far back in the past the event occurred. | |
| This preposition is often used with the present tense. | This preposition is not used for an action that is still ongoing. It is used for a complete duration, in the past or future |
This preposition is often used to describe an intended or planned duration, especially in the future. | This French expression is often used with a verb in the past tense. |
| Example for the future: I will be on vacation for two weeks. The action will start and end in a specific moment in the future. |
Let’s Recap!
Let’s quickly recap:
- Depuis: an action that is still ongoing
- Pendant: a complete and limited duration
- Pour: a planned duration, often in the future
- Il y a: a moment in the past
And that’s it! Now you know how to use depuis, pendant, pour, and il y a. Don’t forget to practice by creating your own sentences.
Grammar Level 3 – List
1. Reflexive verbs:
a) A daily routine: Une routine quotidienne
b) Reflexive verbs in past tense: Les verbse pronominaux au passé composé
2. Near future tense:
a) Definition: Le Futur Proche
b) Le Futur Proche practice 1:11 phrases
3. Simple Future tense:
a) Definition Regular verbs: Le Futur Simple
b) Regular verbs: Les verbes réguliers au futur (Test 1)
c) Irregular verbs: Les verbes irréguliers au futur simple (Test 1)
d) Le future simple practice 1: 11 phrases
e) Le future simple practice 2: 25 verbes
f) Sentences ER verbs future simple: Phrases ER verbes futur simple
g) Sentences IR verbs future simple: Phrases IR verbes futur simple
h) Sentences RE verbs future simple: Phrases RE verbes futur simple
4. Another Verbs:
a) Another 15 regular verbs: 15 autres verbes réguliers
b) Another 15 irregular verbs: 15 autres verbes irréguliers
5. Compound Past or The preterit – Le passé composé:
a) Past Participle: Les participes passés
b) 20 Irregular French past participles: 20 Participes passés irréguliers
6. Imperfect tense – l’imparfait:
a) Imparfait practice 2: À l’école élémentaire
b) Imparfait practice 3: Barbe bleu
c) Imparfait et Passé composé practice 4: Présent-Imparfait-Passé composé Practice
7. More Prepositions: Prépositions
a) Prepositions practice 1: Pratique des prépositions 1
b) Prepositions practice 2: Pratique des prépositions 2
8. French expressions with the verb to be (être):
a) Expressions françaises avec être
b) To be in the process of – Être en train de
c) Expressions françaises avec être et avoir
9. Québec French and Metropolitan French: Français québécois et français métropolitain
10. The idea of time : L’idée du temps
a) Anteriority: Anteriorité
b) Actuality: Actualité
c) Posteriority: Posteriorité
11. Past Tense Indicators :
a) Indicators for Passé composé
b) Indicators for imparfait
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