How do I say 'I have been' in Spanish when talking about time?

You do not use a literal translation of 'have been'. Instead, you use the present tense of the main verb followed by 'desde hace'. For example, 'I have been waiting' becomes 'Espero desde hace...' (I wait for...). This is because the action is still happening in the present.

What is the difference between 'desde' and 'desde hace'?

'Desde' is used for a specific starting date or event, such as 'desde lunes' (since Monday) or 'desde 2015'. 'Desde hace' is used for a quantity of time, such as 'desde hace tres días' (for three days) or 'desde hace mucho tiempo' (for a long time).

Can I use 'hacía' instead of 'hace'?

Yes, but only when using the imperfect tense. Using 'hacía' with the imperfect (e.g., 'Trabajaba allí desde hacía un mes') emphasizes that the action had been going on for a while before another past event occurred. For GCSE Higher Tier, using 'hace' with the imperfect is also generally accepted, but 'hacía' is more sophisticated.

Does 'desde hace' change for masculine or feminine words?

No, 'desde hace' is an adverbial expression and remains invariable. It does not change based on gender or number. However, the time period that follows it must agree (e.g., 'desde hace una semana' or 'desde hace muchos años').

Why can't I use 'por' to say 'for five years'?

In Spanish, 'por' is used for the duration of a completed action (e.g., 'Viví en España por dos años' - I lived there for two years, but I don't anymore). If you are still living there, you must use 'desde hace' with the present tense.

Is 'desde hace' used in the WJEC Higher Tier listening exam?

Yes, frequently. You might hear a speaker say 'Llevo tres años trabajando aquí', which is an alternative to 'desde hace'. However, 'desde hace' is the most common way the exam tests your understanding of how long an activity has been occurring.

Grammar (Higher Tier): Time expressions – desde hace with present and imperfect tenses

WJEC

GCSE

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.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Topic Overview

The 'desde hace' construction is a vital tool for WJEC GCSE Spanish Higher Tier students, as it allows you to describe actions that began in the past and continue into the present or a past reference point. Unlike English, which uses the perfect continuous tense (e.g., 'I have been living'), Spanish uses the present tense with 'desde hace' to show that an action is still ongoing. Mastering this structure is essential for achieving Grade 7-9, as it demonstrates a sophisticated grasp of temporal logic that distinguishes higher-ability candidates.

When used with the present tense, 'desde hace' translates to 'have been [doing something] for [period of time]'. For example, 'Estudio español desde hace tres años' means 'I have been studying Spanish for three years.' This is a frequent requirement in the 'Identity and Culture' and 'School' themes, where you must discuss the duration of hobbies or studies. It is a 'high-yield' structure because it allows you to move beyond simple past or present descriptions into more nuanced timeframes.

At the Higher Tier, you are also expected to use the imperfect tense with 'desde hace' (or 'desde hacía') to describe an action that had been going on for a period of time before something else happened. For instance, 'Vivía en Cardiff desde hace dos años cuando cambié de colegio' (I had been living in Cardiff for two years when I changed schools). This level of grammatical precision is exactly what WJEC examiners look for in the Writing and Speaking components to award marks for 'Variety of Language' and 'Accuracy'.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→The Present Tense Rule: Use the present tense + desde hace + time period to describe an action that started in the past and is still happening now.
→The Imperfect Tense Rule: Use the imperfect tense + desde hace (or hacía) + time period to describe an action that had been ongoing in the past.
→Desde vs. Desde hace: Use 'desde' for a specific point in time (e.g., desde 2010) and 'desde hace' for a duration or length of time (e.g., desde hace diez años).
→Word Order: While 'desde hace' usually follows the verb, it can occasionally start a sentence for emphasis, provided the tense remains correct.
→Negative Constructions: When using 'desde hace' in the negative, it often implies how long it has been since an action last occurred (e.g., 'No como carne desde hace un mes').

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.
💡In the WJEC Writing exam, use 'desde hace' in your 150-word essay to boost your 'Range of Language' score. It is a complex structure that proves you can manipulate tenses beyond the basic level.
💡During the Speaking Role Play or Photo Card, if asked how long you have been doing a hobby, ensure you use the present tense. Saying 'Juego al fútbol por cinco años' is a common error that will cap your mark for accuracy.
💡Pay close attention to the English-to-Spanish translation task. If the English sentence says 'I have been working', the examiner is specifically testing whether you know to use the present tense + 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'.
Using the Perfect Tense: Students often literally translate 'I have been' using 'He estado', which is incorrect in this context. You must use the present tense (e.g., 'Vivo' not 'He estado viviendo').
Confusing 'for' and 'since': Students frequently use 'por' to translate 'for' in time expressions. In Spanish, 'por' is used for a duration that is completed, whereas 'desde hace' is for ongoing duration.
Mixing up Hace and Desde hace: 'Hace' on its own means 'ago' (e.g., hace dos años = two years ago), whereas 'desde hace' means 'for' (e.g., desde hace dos años = for two years).

Revision Plan

How to revise this topic in 1–2 weeks

1Step 1: Review the present tense conjugations for common verbs used in the 'Global Dimension' and 'Current and Future Study' themes.
2Step 2: Practice 10 'Since vs For' translations to distinguish between 'desde' (point in time) and 'desde hace' (duration).
3Step 3: Write five sentences about your own life using the present + desde hace (e.g., your address, your school, your hobbies).
4Step 4: Practice the 'Imperfect + desde hace' structure by describing your life three years ago, focusing on how long you had been doing things at that point.
5Step 5: Complete a past WJEC translation paper and highlight any instances where 'have been' appears in English, then translate them using the Spanish present tense.

Exam Question Types

How this topic typically appears in the exam

📋English to Spanish Translation: You will often find a sentence like 'I have been playing the piano for six years'. You must translate this as 'Toco el piano desde hace seis años'.
📋Reading Comprehension: You may be asked 'How long has Maria lived in Madrid?'. You must identify the 'desde hace' phrase in the text to provide the correct duration.
📋Directed Writing (90/150 words): You might be prompted to talk about your school or town. Using 'Vivo aquí desde hace...' or 'Estudio en este colegio desde hace...' is a perfect way to meet the higher-tier criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•Formation of the Present Tense (regular and common irregular verbs).
•Formation of the Imperfect Tense (especially 'vivir', 'estudiar', and 'trabajar').
•Basic time vocabulary (días, meses, años, semanas).

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Translate

Complete

Write

Use

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

Grammar (Higher Tier): Time expressions – desde hace with present and imperfect tenses

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Revision Plan

Exam Question Types

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in WJEC GCSE Spanish

Appendix A: Prescribed Vocabulary List (organised by theme/sub-theme)

Appendix B: Grammar Requirements – Foundation Tier

Current and Future Study and Employment

Current Study – School/College Life

How to Revise Grammar (Higher Tier): Time expressions – desde hace with present and imperfect tenses — WJEC GCSE Spanish

Examiner Tips for Grammar (Higher Tier): Time expressions – desde hace with present and imperfect tenses

Common Mistakes in Grammar (Higher Tier): Time expressions – desde hace with present and imperfect tenses

Key Marking Points

Grammar (Higher Tier): Time expressions – desde hace with present and imperfect tenses

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Revision Plan

Exam Question Types

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I say 'I have been' in Spanish when talking about time?

What is the difference between 'desde' and 'desde hace'?

Can I use 'hacía' instead of 'hace'?

Does 'desde hace' change for masculine or feminine words?

Why can't I use 'por' to say 'for five years'?

Is 'desde hace' used in the WJEC Higher Tier listening exam?

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in WJEC GCSE Spanish

Appendix A: Prescribed Vocabulary List (organised by theme/sub-theme)

Appendix B: Grammar Requirements – Foundation Tier

Current and Future Study and Employment

Current Study – School/College Life