"depuis" Usage in French

"Depuis" is a versatile and essential preposition in French that English speakers often find tricky. It's commonly used to express duration or a starting point in time. Let's break down its usage and see some examples to help you use it confidently.

Basic Meaning of "Depuis"

"Depuis" generally translates to "since" or "for" in English, depending on the context. It's used to indicate:

1. A point in time from which an action or state began
2. The duration of an ongoing action or state

Using "Depuis" with Present Tense

When used with the present tense, "depuis" indicates an action or state that began in the past and continues in the present.

Examples:

1. J'habite à Paris depuis 2010. (I have been living in Paris since 2010.)
2. Il pleut depuis ce matin. (It has been raining since this morning.)
3. Nous attendons depuis une heure. (We have been waiting for an hour.)
4. Elle étudie le français depuis six mois. (She has been studying French for six months.)
5. Je travaille ici depuis longtemps. (I have been working here for a long time.)
6. Ils sont mariés depuis dix ans. (They have been married for ten years.)
7. Tu es malade depuis quand ? (How long have you been sick?)
8. Nous sommes amis depuis l'école primaire. (We have been friends since elementary school.)

"Depuis" with Past Tense

When used with the past tense (imparfait), "depuis" indicates a situation that had been ongoing up to a point in the past.

Examples:

1. Quand je l'ai rencontré, il habitait à Londres depuis cinq ans. (When I met him, he had been living in London for five years.)
2. Elle attendait depuis deux heures quand le train est arrivé. (She had been waiting for two hours when the train arrived.)
3. Nous étions ensemble depuis peu quand nous avons décidé de nous marier. (We had been together for a short time when we decided to get married.)
4. Il travaillait dans cette entreprise depuis 1995 quand il a pris sa retraite. (He had been working in this company since 1995 when he retired.)

Common Phrases with "Depuis"

Here are some common phrases using "depuis":

1. Depuis longtemps - For a long time
2. Depuis peu - Recently, for a short time
3. Depuis toujours - Since forever, always
4. Depuis quand ? - Since when? How long?
5. Depuis lors - Since then
6. Depuis ce temps-là - Since that time
7. Depuis belle lurette (informal) - For ages
8. Depuis la nuit des temps - Since time immemorial

"Depuis que" - "Since" (for Clauses)

When you want to use "since" with a clause (a group of words with a subject and a verb), use "depuis que".

Examples:

1. Depuis que j'ai commencé ce régime, je me sens mieux. (Since I started this diet, I feel better.)
2. Il est plus heureux depuis qu'il a changé de travail. (He's happier since he changed jobs.)
3. Depuis que nous avons déménagé, nous sortons plus souvent. (Since we moved, we go out more often.)
4. Elle dort mieux depuis qu'elle fait du yoga. (She sleeps better since she started doing yoga.)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Don't use "pour" instead of "depuis" when talking about duration that continues into the present. Incorrect: J'habite ici pour trois ans. Correct: J'habite ici depuis trois ans.

2. Remember to use the present tense, not the present perfect, when the action continues into the present. Incorrect: J'ai étudié le français depuis janvier. Correct: J'étudie le français depuis janvier.

3. Don't confuse "depuis" with "pendant" (during, for). "Pendant" is used for completed actions in the past. Example: J'ai vécu à Paris pendant trois ans. (I lived in Paris for three years - but I don't anymore.)

Understanding and correctly using "depuis" will greatly enhance your French language skills. Practice with these examples and soon you'll be using it naturally in your conversations!