Number, quantity, dates and time — AQA GCSE French
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Number, quantity, dates and time explained
In French, the preposition 'depuis' (since/for) is used with the present tense to describe an action that began in the past and is still continuing.
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This contrasts with English, which uses the present perfect tense. For example, "J'habite à Paris depuis cinq ans" translates to "I have lived in Paris for five years", and "Je joue au tennis depuis 2018" means "I have been playing tennis since 2018". Using a past tense with 'depuis' in these contexts is grammatically incorrect in French if the action is ongoing. Understanding this structural difference is vital for accurate communication regarding time, dates, and quantities, and frequently appears in reading and listening comprehension tasks.
Your focus
- Formulate sentences using 'depuis' with the present tense.
- Translate English present perfect sentences into French using 'depuis'.
- Differentiate between the use of 'depuis' for a point in time versus a duration.
Number, quantity, dates and time exam tips
Marking Points
- Identify the correct present tense verb form to use in a sentence containing 'depuis'.
- Distinguish between 'depuis' meaning 'since' and 'for' based on the surrounding context.
- Select the appropriate time phrase or date to logically follow 'depuis'.
- Recognise that an action described with 'depuis' and the present tense is still ongoing at the time of speaking.
Examiner Tips
- 💡When you see 'depuis' in a sentence describing an ongoing action, ensure the accompanying verb is conjugated in the present tense.
- 💡Pay attention to whether 'depuis' is followed by a specific starting point (since) or a duration (for) to translate accurately.
- 💡Practice transforming English present perfect sentences into French using the present tense and 'depuis' to build a natural reflex.
Common Mistakes
- Using the perfect tense with 'depuis' for ongoing actions: translating directly from English and using the perfect tense, whereas French requires the present tense.
- Confusing 'depuis' with 'pendant': 'depuis' indicates an action continuing from the past into the present, while 'pendant' refers to a completed duration of time.
- Misinterpreting 'depuis' in reading tasks: assuming 'depuis' always means 'since' a specific date, forgetting it can also mean 'for' a duration of time.