Grammar (Higher Tier): Time expressions – desde hace with present and imperfect tenses
The use of 'desde hace' with present and imperfect tenses to express the duration of an action that started in the past and continues into the present or was continuing in the past.
Topic Overview
This topic is crucial for expressing duration in Spanish, allowing you to say "for how long" an action has been happening or had been happening. At Higher Tier, mastering `desde hace` with both the present and imperfect tenses demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of Spanish time expressions, moving beyond simple past or present statements. It's essential for describing ongoing situations, past events with a specific duration, and for answering questions about how long something has been occurring. This grammatical structure is a cornerstone for achieving higher marks in both written and spoken Spanish, enabling you to add depth and precision to your communication.
Understanding `desde hace` with the present tense allows you to talk about actions that started in the past and are still continuing in the present, such as "I have been studying Spanish for three years." This is often a direct translation challenge from English, where we use the present perfect continuous. Conversely, combining `desde hace` with the imperfect tense is used to describe actions that had been happening for a certain duration in the past, but are no longer continuing, or were interrupted by another event. For example, "She had been waiting for an hour when the bus finally arrived." This distinction is vital for accurately conveying the timeline of events.
This structure fits into the wider WJEC GCSE Spanish curriculum by enhancing your ability to narrate, describe, and explain more complex scenarios. It builds upon your knowledge of basic tenses and introduces a nuanced way to express duration, which is frequently tested in various contexts, from personal descriptions to discussing past holidays or future plans. Proficiency here showcases your command of temporal clauses and prepares you for more advanced Spanish grammar.
Key Concepts
Core ideas you must understand for this topic
- →`Desde hace` + present tense: Used to express an action that started in the past and is *still continuing* in the present. The English equivalent is often "I have been doing something for X time." (e.g., "Estudio español desde hace tres años" - I have been studying Spanish for three years).
- →`Desde hace` + imperfect tense: Used to express an action that had been happening for a duration in the past, but *is no longer continuing* or was interrupted. The English equivalent is "I had been doing something for X time." (e.g., "Vivía en Madrid desde hacía cinco años cuando me mudé" - I had been living in Madrid for five years when I moved).
- →The interrogative form `¿Cuánto tiempo hace que...?` is used to ask "How long has it been since...?" or "How long have you been...?" (e.g., "¿Cuánto tiempo hace que estudias español?" - How long have you been studying Spanish?).
- →`Desde` means "since" and `hace` means "ago" or "it makes," but together `desde hace` creates the specific meaning of "for X time" when referring to duration.
- →The verb in the main clause (present or imperfect) is the key to determining whether the action is ongoing or completed in the past.
What You Need to Demonstrate
Key skills and knowledge for this topic
- Correct use of 'desde hace' + time period + present tense to indicate an action that started in the past and is still continuing.
- Correct use of 'desde hace' + time period + imperfect tense to indicate an action that had been going on for a certain time when something else happened (receptive knowledge required for Higher Tier).
- Accurate placement of the time expression within the sentence structure.
Marking Points
Key points examiners look for in your answers
- Correct use of 'desde hace' + time period + present tense to indicate an action that started in the past and is still continuing.
- Correct use of 'desde hace' + time period + imperfect tense to indicate an action that had been going on for a certain time when something else happened (receptive knowledge required for Higher Tier).
- Accurate placement of the time expression within the sentence structure.
Examiner Tips
Expert advice for maximising your marks
- 💡Remember that 'desde hace' + present tense is equivalent to the English 'have been doing' structure.
- 💡For Higher Tier, be prepared to recognise the 'desde hace' + imperfect structure in reading and listening tasks.
- 💡Ensure the verb tense matches the timeframe: present for ongoing actions, imperfect for actions that were ongoing in the past.
- 💡**Master the distinction between present and imperfect:** Examiners look for accurate tense usage. Clearly differentiate when an action is ongoing (`desde hace` + present) versus when it had a duration in the past (`desde hace` + imperfect). Practice creating sentences that demonstrate both scenarios.
- 💡**Integrate into longer responses:** Don't just use `desde hace` in isolated sentences. Aim to incorporate it naturally into descriptions, narratives, and answers in both written and spoken tasks. For example, when describing your hobbies, "Juego al fútbol desde hace cinco años" (I've been playing football for five years) adds more detail than just "Juego al fútbol."
- 💡**Practice asking and answering `¿Cuánto tiempo hace que...?`:** This interrogative structure is a fantastic way to show off your grammatical range in speaking exams and can be used in written dialogues. Be prepared to both ask the question and provide a detailed answer using `desde hace`.
Common Mistakes
Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers
- Confusing 'desde hace' (for/since) with 'hace' (ago).
- Using the wrong tense (e.g., using the preterite instead of the present or imperfect).
- Incorrectly translating 'for' as 'por' in the context of duration with 'desde hace'.
- **Literal translation of "for":** Many students incorrectly use `por` or `para` for "for" when expressing duration. `Por` is used for periods *during* which something happens (e.g., "Estudié por dos horas" - I studied for two hours, implying the action is completed), but `desde hace` is specifically for actions that *have been happening* up to a point in time. `Para` means "for" in the sense of "for whom" or "for what purpose."
- **Confusing `desde hace` with `hace` alone:** `Hace` followed by a time expression means "ago" (e.g., "Llegué hace dos horas" - I arrived two hours ago). `Desde hace` is used with a verb to express duration *up to a point in time*.
- **Incorrect tense usage with `desde hace`:** A common error is using the preterite tense instead of the imperfect tense when describing an action that *had been happening* for a duration in the past. Remember, the imperfect is for ongoing, habitual, or descriptive actions in the past, making it suitable for duration, while the preterite is for completed, specific actions.
Revision Plan
How to revise this topic in 1–2 weeks
- 1**Week 1 - Day 1-3: Present Tense Focus:** Start by thoroughly understanding `desde hace` with the present tense. Create at least 10 sentences about yourself, your family, or friends using this structure (e.g., "Estudio español desde hace tres años," "Mi hermano juega al baloncesto desde hace mucho tiempo"). Practice asking and answering `¿Cuánto tiempo hace que...?` questions.
- 2**Week 1 - Day 4-7: Imperfect Tense Introduction:** Introduce `desde hace` with the imperfect tense. Focus on understanding the context where an action had a duration in the past. Compare and contrast sentences using both present and imperfect tenses to highlight the difference in meaning. (e.g., "Vivía en Londres desde hacía dos años cuando conocí a mi marido" vs. "Vivo en Londres desde hace dos años").
- 3**Week 2 - Day 1-3: Mixed Practice & Context:** Practice translating sentences from English to Spanish that require `desde hace` with both tenses. Pay close attention to the English phrasing (e.g., "I have been..." vs. "I had been..."). Use online quizzes or textbook exercises to test your understanding in varied contexts.
- 4**Week 2 - Day 4-5: Application in Production:** Incorporate `desde hace` into longer writing tasks, such as describing a past holiday, a typical day, or your future aspirations. Practice speaking about these topics, consciously trying to use the structure. Record yourself and listen back to identify areas for improvement.
- 5**Week 2 - Day 6-7: Review & Self-Assessment:** Revisit common misconceptions and ensure you can confidently explain why certain errors occur. Create flashcards with example sentences for both tenses. Ask a friend or family member to test you on random sentences or questions involving `desde hace`.
Exam Question Types
How this topic typically appears in the exam
- 📋**Translation (English to Spanish):** You might be given sentences like "I have been studying Spanish for three years" or "She had been waiting for an hour when the train arrived" and asked to translate them accurately. *Advice: Pay close attention to the English tense (present perfect continuous vs. past perfect continuous) to determine if you need the present or imperfect tense with `desde hace`.*
- 📋**Gap Fill / Choose the Correct Option:** You could encounter sentences with a blank where you need to insert the correct form of `desde hace` or choose between the present and imperfect tense of a verb. *Advice: Read the entire sentence carefully to understand the timeline of events and whether the action is ongoing or completed in the past.*
- 📋**Sentence Manipulation / Rephrasing:** You might be given two simple sentences (e.g., "Empecé a vivir aquí hace cinco años. Todavía vivo aquí.") and asked to combine them into one more complex sentence using `desde hace`. *Advice: Identify the duration and the current state of the action. This often requires changing the verb tense to fit the `desde hace` structure.*
- 📋**Writing Tasks (e.g., email, blog post):** In longer writing tasks, you will be expected to naturally integrate a range of grammatical structures, including `desde hace`, to add detail and sophistication to your descriptions of personal experiences, routines, or past events. *Advice: Plan where you can naturally incorporate these expressions to enhance your narrative and demonstrate a higher level of linguistic skill.*
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions students ask about this topic
Before You Start
Prior knowledge that will help with this topic
- •**Present Tense Conjugation:** A solid understanding of regular and irregular verb conjugations in the present tense is fundamental.
- •**Imperfect Tense Conjugation:** Knowledge of how to form and use the imperfect tense for regular and irregular verbs is crucial for expressing past duration.
- •**Basic Sentence Structure:** Familiarity with forming simple Spanish sentences (subject-verb-object) will help you correctly place `desde hace` and its associated time expression.
Likely Command Words
How questions on this topic are typically asked
Ready to test yourself?
Practice questions tailored to this topic