Higher Tier - Using 'depuis' with the present tense in French

• Depuis is used to say ‘since’ and ‘for’ in present tense sentences.

• Depuis is usually accompanied by a reference to time.

The present tense is used with depuis (since/for) in French to talk about an action that began in the past and continues in the present. It is usually accompanied by a reference to time.

For example:

J’habite ici depuis trois ans. – I have lived here for three years. (and I still live here)

Elle étudie le français depuis 2018. – She has been studying French since 2018. (and she is still studying French)

Ils sont ici depuis neuf heures. – They have been here since 9 o’clock. (and they are still here)

Remember

The tenses used in the English translations of sentences containing depuis can vary.

For example:

• I have been living there for 10 years.

• We have lived there for 10 years.

• He has been living there for 10 years.

However, in French, the present tense is always used.

When using depuis in a question, it comes before the question word and the verb is in the present tense.

For example:

Depuis quand habites-tu ici ? – For how long (since when) have you lived here?

Depuis combien de temps étudies-tu le français ? – For how long have you been studying French?

Practise what you've learned about using depuis with the present tense with this quiz.

Now you’ve learned about using depuis with the present tense, why not explore the perfect tense with avoir?