Time Expressions: desde, hace, durante

📌 Nota gramatical

'Desde' is used with the present tense in Spanish to describe an action that started in the past and continues into the present. It translates to 'since' when followed by a specific point in time (a year, a month, a day, or a specific hour).

📌 Nota gramatical

When you want to specify a duration of time (e.g., three years, two weeks) for an action that is still continuing, combine 'desde' with 'hace'. This structure answers the question '¿Cuánto tiempo...?' and translates to 'for' in English.

📌 Nota gramatical

'Desde que' means 'since' when it introduces a dependent clause containing a conjugated verb rather than just a time phrase. The verb in the dependent clause is usually in the preterite or present tense depending on context.

📌 Nota gramatical

To express how long ago a completed action took place, use 'hace' + time expression + preterite tense verb. It places an event at a specific distance in the past relative to the present moment.

📌 Nota gramatical

Another common way to express duration is placing the time expression between 'hace' and 'que', followed by a present-tense verb. This is completely interchangeable with the 'verb + desde hace' structure.

📌 Nota gramatical

'Durante' is used to answer the question '¿Cuánto tiempo?' when looking at an action in its entirety, often with past or future tenses. It shows how long a completed action lasted, similar to 'for' in English with completed actions.

📌 Nota gramatical

Both 'durante' and 'por' can mean 'for' when expressing duration. 'Durante' emphasizes the entire duration of an event, while 'por' is often interchangeable with 'durante' in simple time spans but emphasizes exchange, cause, or vague passing of time in other contexts. At A2 level, use 'durante' for specific time blocks.

📌 Nota gramatical

To define both the beginning and the end of a scheduled event or routine, use 'desde' (from/since) paired with 'hasta' (until/to). This works for hours, days, months, and years.

📌 Nota gramatical

To inquire about the starting point of an ongoing action, use the interrogative phrase '¿Desde cuándo?'. The answer will naturally employ 'desde' or 'desde hace'.

📌 Nota gramatical

To ask about the total duration of an action or event, use '¿Cuánto tiempo...?' followed by the verb. It can be paired with present, past, or future tenses.

📌 Nota gramatical

While 'durante' shows how long an action takes up, 'en' indicates the time limit or span within which an action is successfully completed (equivalent to 'in' in English, as in 'I read the book in two days').

📌 Nota gramatical

'Por' is used for general periods of the day ('por la mañana', 'por la tarde', 'por la noche') and for approximate times or seasons ('por Navidad', 'por el año pasado'). It does not express precise duration.