{"id":23237,"date":"2026-08-20T14:08:05","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T12:08:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.frenchcourses-paris.com\/?p=23237"},"modified":"2026-08-20T14:18:34","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T12:18:34","slug":"how-to-use-depuis-pendant-and-il-y-a-in-french","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.frenchcourses-paris.com\/fr\/french-grammar\/how-to-use-depuis-pendant-and-il-y-a-in-french\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use \u201cDepuis,\u201d \u201cPendant,\u201d and \u201cIl y a\u201d in French"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re learning French, there\u2019s a good chance that depuis<\/strong>, pendant<\/strong>, and il y a<\/strong> have caused you a little confusion.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

And honestly? You\u2019re not alone.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Learn<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

These three little expressions all have something to do with time<\/strong>, but French uses them in very different ways. The good news is that once you understand the logic behind them, they become much easier to use.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
So, let\u2019s clear up the confusion \u2014 with a little help from your French tutor in Paris!<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cDepuis\u201d = Since \/ For<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Timeline<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s start with the one that causes the most trouble: depuis<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We use depuis<\/strong> when an action or situation started in the past and is still continuing now<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It started \u2192 it is still happening.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

J\u2019habite \u00e0 Paris depuis 2020.<\/strong>
\u2192 I have lived in Paris since 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

J\u2019apprends le fran\u00e7ais depuis trois ans.<\/strong>
\u2192 I have been learning French for three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Je travaille avec des \u00e9tudiants depuis longtemps.<\/strong>
\u2192 I have been working with students for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notice something important: in French, we usually use the present tense<\/strong> after depuis<\/em> when the action is still happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

English vs. French<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

English:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have lived in Paris for five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

French:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

J\u2019habite \u00e0 Paris depuis cinq ans.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

❌ J\u2019ai habit\u00e9 \u00e0 Paris depuis cinq ans.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That would suggest something different \u2014 potentially that the situation is finished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caroline\u2019s tip<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you see depuis<\/strong>, ask yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIs it still happening?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the answer is yes<\/strong>, depuis<\/em> is probably your friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cPendant\u201d = For \/ During<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Now let’s meet pendant<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We use pendant<\/strong> to talk about a duration<\/strong>, usually when the action is considered as a completed or limited period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It lasted X amount of time.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

J\u2019ai \u00e9tudi\u00e9 le fran\u00e7ais pendant deux ans.<\/strong>
\u2192 I studied French for two years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nous sommes rest\u00e9s \u00e0 Paris pendant une semaine.<\/strong>
\u2192 We stayed in Paris for a week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

J\u2019ai travaill\u00e9 dans une entreprise am\u00e9ricaine pendant cinq ans.<\/strong>
\u2192 I worked for an American company for five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In these examples, the period has an endpoint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPendant\u201d can also mean \u201cduring\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Je lis pendant le trajet.<\/strong>
\u2192 I read during the journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Il a dormi pendant le film.<\/strong>
\u2192 He slept during the movie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pendant les vacances, je d\u00e9connecte compl\u00e8tement.<\/strong>
\u2192 During the holidays, I completely disconnect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So remember:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

pendant = a duration or a period of time<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cIl y a\u201d = Ago<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And now for another very useful expression:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

il y a<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

No, we\u2019re not suddenly talking about the verb avoir<\/em>. ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When talking about time, il y a<\/strong> means \u201cago.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Je suis arriv\u00e9 \u00e0 Paris il y a cinq ans.<\/strong>
\u2192 I arrived in Paris five years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

J\u2019ai commenc\u00e9 \u00e0 apprendre le fran\u00e7ais il y a trois ans.<\/strong>
\u2192 I started learning French three years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Je l\u2019ai rencontr\u00e9 il y a longtemps.<\/strong>
\u2192 I met him a long time ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The structure is simple:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Il y a + period of time + past event<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

il y a deux jours<\/strong> \u2192 two days ago
il y a trois semaines<\/strong> \u2192 three weeks ago
il y a six mois<\/strong> \u2192 six months ago
il y a dix ans<\/strong> \u2192 ten years ago<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So\u2026 what\u2019s the difference between Depuis, pendant and il y a?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s compare the three expressions using the same idea.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Imagine you started learning French three years ago and you\u2019re still learning it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. \u201cIl y a\u201d \u2192 tells us WHEN it started<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

J\u2019ai commenc\u00e9 le fran\u00e7ais il y a trois ans.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2192 I started French three years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. \u201cDepuis\u201d \u2192 tells us HOW LONG it has continued<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

J\u2019apprends le fran\u00e7ais depuis trois ans.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2192 I have been learning French for three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. \u201cPendant\u201d \u2192 describes a completed duration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

J\u2019ai appris le fran\u00e7ais pendant trois ans.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2192 I studied French for three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The difference is subtle but important:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

French<\/th>Meaning<\/th>Idea<\/th><\/tr>
il y a trois ans<\/strong><\/td>three years ago<\/td>When did it happen?<\/td><\/tr>
depuis trois ans<\/strong><\/td>for three years \/ since three years ago<\/td>It started then and continues<\/td><\/tr>
pendant trois ans<\/strong><\/td>for three years<\/td>Completed duration<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A Parisian example<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s imagine a student who has just moved to Paris.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

She might say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Je suis arriv\u00e9e \u00e0 Paris il y a six mois.<\/strong>
I arrived in Paris six months ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

J\u2019habite \u00e0 Paris depuis six mois.<\/strong>
I have been living in Paris for six months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And perhaps, after a few years:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

J\u2019ai habit\u00e9 \u00e0 Londres pendant cinq ans avant de venir \u00e0 Paris.<\/strong>
I lived in London for five years before coming to Paris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the pattern?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

il y a<\/strong> \u2192 the starting point
depuis<\/strong> \u2192 something continuing until now
pendant<\/strong> \u2192 a completed period<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you see it this way, it becomes much easier!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A common mistake for English speakers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest traps is translating English word-for-word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In English, you might say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have lived in Paris for three years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s tempting to translate this as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

❌ J\u2019ai v\u00e9cu \u00e0 Paris pour trois ans.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But French doesn’t work that way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

✅ J\u2019habite \u00e0 Paris depuis trois ans.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if the situation is finished:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

✅ J\u2019ai habit\u00e9 \u00e0 Paris pendant trois ans.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The key question isn’t simply \u201cHow long?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIs it still happening?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If yes \u2192 depuis<\/strong>
If finished \u2192 pendant<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quick French challenge!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ready to test yourself?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choose depuis<\/strong>, pendant<\/strong>, or il y a<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. J\u2019habite \u00e0 Paris ______ 2022.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

2. Je suis arriv\u00e9 en France ______ quatre ans.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

3. J\u2019ai travaill\u00e9 \u00e0 Londres ______ trois ans avant de d\u00e9m\u00e9nager \u00e0 Paris.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

4. J\u2019apprends le fran\u00e7ais ______ six mois.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Answers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. depuis<\/strong> \u2192 J\u2019habite \u00e0 Paris depuis 2022.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. il y a<\/strong> \u2192 Je suis arriv\u00e9 en France il y a quatre ans.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. pendant<\/strong> \u2192 J\u2019ai travaill\u00e9 \u00e0 Londres pendant trois ans.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. depuis<\/strong> \u2192 J\u2019apprends le fran\u00e7ais depuis six mois.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    How did you do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    One last tip from your French tutor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    When you’re speaking French, don’t try to translate every word from English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Instead, think about the relationship between the action and time<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    IL Y A<\/strong>
    Something happened in the past<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    DEPUIS<\/strong>
    Something started in the past and continues now<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    PENDANT<\/strong>
    Something happened for a specific duration<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    And if you\u2019re learning French in Paris, you\u2019ll hear these expressions constantly \u2014 at work, in caf\u00e9s, on the M\u00e9tro, in conversations with friends\u2026 everywhere!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Recap:<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    So the next time someone asks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cDepuis combien de temps tu habites \u00e0 Paris ?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    you\u2019ll know exactly what to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cJ\u2019habite \u00e0 Paris depuis\u2026\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Now you just need to decide how long you’ve been here! ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Want to improve your French in Paris?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    If you\u2019d like to become more confident speaking French \u2014 not just memorising grammar rules \u2014 I offer private French lessons in Paris<\/a><\/strong>, adapted to your level, goals and interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We can work on grammar, conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary and, of course, all those little expressions that make your French sound much more natural.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u00c0 bient\u00f4t \u00e0 Paris !<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u2014 Caroline
    The French Class | Private French Lessons in Paris<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    If you\u2019re learning French, there\u2019s a good chance that depuis, pendant, and il y a have caused you a little […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":23263,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[2618],"tags":[2210,3403,2514,3404,3405,3401,3321,3402,528,3406],"class_list":["post-23237","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-french-grammar","tag-conversation","tag-depuis","tag-french-grammar","tag-french-time-expressions","tag-french-tutor-in-paris","tag-il-y-a","tag-learn-french-2","tag-pendant","tag-private-french-lessons-in-paris","tag-the-french-class"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t