How to Use "Depuis"
"Depuis" is a versatile French preposition that's essential for expressing duration and time. It's comparable to "since" or "for" in English, but with some unique usages. Let's explore how to use "depuis" correctly in various contexts.
Basic Usage
"Depuis" is primarily used to indicate:
- The starting point of an ongoing action or state
- The duration of an action or state that continues into the present
Present Tense Usage
When using "depuis" with the present tense, it indicates an action or state that began in the past and is still ongoing:
- Je travaille ici depuis trois ans. (I've been working here for three years.)
- Elle habite à Paris depuis 2020. (She has been living in Paris since 2020.)
Past Tense Usage
With the imperfect tense, "depuis" describes how long something had been happening up to a point in the past:
- Quand je l'ai rencontré, il étudiait le français depuis six mois. (When I met him, he had been studying French for six months.)
Common Phrases
Some common expressions using "depuis" include:
- Depuis quand ? (Since when?)
- Depuis longtemps (For a long time)
- Depuis peu (Recently)
Time Expressions
"Depuis" can be used with various time expressions:
- Depuis hier (Since yesterday)
- Depuis lundi (Since Monday)
- Depuis une semaine (For a week)
"Depuis que" Clause
Use "depuis que" to introduce a clause indicating when something started:
- Je suis plus heureux depuis que j'ai déménagé. (I've been happier since I moved.)
Remember, "depuis" is a powerful tool for expressing time and duration in French. Practice using it in different contexts to enhance your French language skills.