I'm not sure why but I get very confused with the words "pendant", "depuis" and their uses.
please give me a simple way to try and remember when to use them.
Merci beaucoup
:)
In a ntushell, "pendant" has a starting point and a finishing point.
"depuis" has a starting point but no finish point (the clock is still ticking).
1* Depuis means "since or for." It is used with a French verb in the present tense to talk about an action that began in the past and continues in the present.
Ex)
- Depuis quand étudiez-vous le français ?
How long have you studied French?
- J'étudie le français depuis 3 ans.
I've studied French for 3 years (and still do).
2* Pendant means "for" . Refers to the entire duration of an action in the past or future, with no relation to the present.
Ex)
Pendant combien de temps avez-vous étudié le français ?
How long did you study French?
J'ai étudié le français pendant 3 ans.
I studied French for 3 years (and then stopped).
Hope It'd help you out get rid of your confusion :)
Merci Mark, that has helped to clear it up :)
