Depuis, pendant, and il y a in time reference
French uses several time expressions to distinguish ongoing duration, completed duration, and how long ago something happened.
Examples
I have lived here for three years.
We talked for two hours.
He left ten minutes ago.
Pattern
depuis / pendant / il y a + time expression
How it works
French uses several time expressions to distinguish ongoing duration, completed duration, and how long ago something happened. This pattern typically appears as depuis / pendant / il y a + time expression and becomes easier when you meet it again in short, readable examples.
What to notice
- Depuis often points to something that is still true now.
- Pendant usually measures a finished stretch of time.
Why it matters
Separate the event from the setting so longer French texts feel easier to follow.
Use in context
Learners benefit from seeing these time frames side by side because all three appear constantly in everyday reading.