French: When to use depuis, il y a, pendant and other phrases indicating time has passed
Hi
I never seem to get it straight in French how to use the different phrases indicating time has passed. For example:

It's been 12 years since I've studied French.
I've been studying French for 12 years.
I had my first French class 12 years ago.

thanks,
Elisa

Question

French: When to use depuis, il y a, pendant and other phrases indicating time has passed
Hi
I never seem to get it straight in French how to use the different phrases indicating time has passed. For example:

It's been 12 years since I've studied French.
I've been studying French for 12 years.
I had my first French class 12 years ago.

thanks,
Elisa

Answer

So I think the best way to look at it is this;

il y a = ago

J'ai commencé à apprendre le français il y a longtemps.

I started learning French a long time ago.

Je suis allé en France il y a 6 moins.

I went to France 6 months ago.

depuis = since/for (where it continues to the present)

J'apprendre le français depuis longtemps.

I have been learning french for a long time (and still am).

Je travaille depuis 6 heures ce matin.

I have been working since 6 o'clock this morning.

pendant = for (with no relation to the present)

J'ai étudié le français pendant 2 ans.

I studied french for 2 years (but don't anymore).

J'ai travaillé pendant 11 heures aujourd'hui.

(I worked for 11 hours today.)

I'm not a native French speaker though, so it's entirely possible that I'm way out!