Hace / Desde Hace Time Expressions (AQA A-Level Spanish): Revision Notes
Hace / Desde Hace Time Expressions
Overview
Spanish handles time duration differently from English, and this difference often appears in exams. The key distinction is between:
- Completed actions in the past (how long ago something happened)
- Ongoing actions that started in the past and continue now (how long something has been happening)
English frequently uses the same tense for both situations, but Spanish requires different structures. Understanding when to use each construction is essential for accurate communication.
The critical difference is determining whether an action is finished or still continuing. This single distinction determines which Spanish structure you must use.
Structure 1: Hace + time + past tense (how long ago)
This structure describes when a completed action took place in the past. It answers the question "how long ago did something happen?"
Formation:
hace + time expression + verb in preterite tense
The verb appears in the preterite tense because the action is finished. This structure is for completed events only.
Examples:
| Spanish | English | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Llegó hace dos horas | He/she arrived two hours ago | The arrival is a completed event |
| Se mudaron hace un año | They moved a year ago | The move happened and finished in the past |
| Terminé el examen hace cinco minutos | I finished the exam five minutes ago | The exam completion is a single past event |
In this structure, "hace" translates as "ago" in English. The action is definitively over.
Structure 2: Desde hace + time + present tense (ongoing duration)
This structure expresses actions that began in the past and are still continuing now. It tells you how long something has been happening.
Formation:
desde hace + time expression + verb in present tense
Critical concept: The verb must be in the present tense because the action is still happening. This is where Spanish differs most from English.
Examples:
| Spanish | English | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Vivo aquí desde hace diez años | I have lived here for ten years | Still living there now |
| Estudia español desde hace dos meses | He/she has been studying Spanish for two months | Still studying now |
| Trabajamos juntos desde hace mucho tiempo | We have been working together for a long time | Still working together |
This is where Spanish differs most from English. English uses the present perfect ("have lived", "has been studying"), but Spanish prefers the present tense. This is not an error – it's the natural way to express ongoing duration in Spanish.
Exam note: You might see "He vivido aquí desde hace diez años" (using the present perfect), and while grammatically acceptable, it's less common than using the present tense. The simple present is preferred in modern Spanish.
Structure 3: Hace + time + que + present tense (alternative duration)
This alternative structure also expresses ongoing duration. It means exactly the same as "desde hace" but uses a different word order.
Formation:
hace + time expression + que + verb in present tense
Examples:
| Spanish | English | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Hace tres años que vivo aquí | I have lived here for three years | Same meaning as "Vivo aquí desde hace tres años" |
| Hace mucho tiempo que no lo veo | I haven't seen him for a long time | Expresses duration of not seeing someone |
| Hace dos meses que estudia español | He/she has been studying Spanish for two months | Alternative to "Estudia español desde hace dos meses" |
This structure is very common in both spoken and written Spanish. Using both "desde hace" and "hace... que" in your work demonstrates range and variety.
Structure 4: Desde + specific point in time
When you want to state the exact starting point rather than the duration, use "desde" alone with a date, year, event, or moment.
Formation:
desde + specific point in time
Examples:
| Spanish | English | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Vivo aquí desde 2015 | I have lived here since 2015 | States the year it started |
| No lo veo desde ayer | I haven't seen him since yesterday | States when you last saw him |
| Estudia español desde la infancia | He/she has studied Spanish since childhood | States the life stage it began |
Notice "desde" translates as "since" when referring to a specific starting point, not a duration.
Comparison table
This table summarizes all four structures for quick reference. Pay attention to the verb tense used in each construction.
| Meaning | Spanish structure | Example | English translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| How long ago (completed) | hace + time + past tense | Llegó hace una hora | He/she arrived an hour ago |
| Duration until now (ongoing) | desde hace + time + present tense | Vive aquí desde hace años | He/she has lived here for years |
| Duration until now (alternative) | hace + time + que + present tense | Hace años que vive aquí | He/she has lived here for years |
| Starting point | desde + specific point | Desde 2010 | Since 2010 |
Example sentences with explanations
Worked Example: Completed actions (hace + past)
Llegaron hace tres días – They arrived three days ago
The arrival is finished, so the preterite is used.
Comí hace una hora – I ate an hour ago
The eating is complete, marking a point in the past.
Worked Example: Ongoing actions (desde hace + present)
Trabajo aquí desde hace cinco años – I have worked here for five years
Still working there, so the present tense is required.
Aprenden francés desde hace meses – They have been learning French for months
The learning continues, using the present tense.
Worked Example: Alternative ongoing structure (hace + que + present)
Hace diez años que viven juntos – They have lived together for ten years
Same ongoing meaning, different structure.
Hace tiempo que busco trabajo – I have been looking for work for a while
Expresses an ongoing search.
Worked Example: Starting point (desde + point)
Vivo aquí desde septiembre – I have lived here since September
Specifies when it started, not how long.
Common mistakes and tips
Mistake 1: Using the present perfect instead of the present tense
Students often translate directly from English, writing "He vivido aquí desde hace años" when "Vivo aquí desde hace años" is more natural. Remember: Spanish prefers the simple present tense for ongoing actions.
Mistake 2: Mixing up hace and desde hace
Writing "Vivo aquí hace diez años" without "desde" is incorrect for ongoing duration. If the action is still happening, you need either "desde hace" or "hace... que".
Mistake 3: Using hace with the present tense for completed actions
Don't write "Llego hace dos horas" for "I arrived two hours ago". Completed past actions need the preterite: "Llegué hace dos horas".
Mistake 4: Translating directly from English
English structure and Spanish structure don't match here. Think about whether the action is finished or still continuing, then choose the appropriate Spanish construction.
Essential Tip: Always ask yourself: "Is this action finished or still going on?" This question will guide you to the correct structure every time.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Use hace + past tense when describing completed actions (equivalent to "ago" in English)
- Use desde hace + present tense when actions continue into the present (where English says "have been doing")
- The alternative hace + que + present tense means the same as "desde hace" and shows linguistic range
- Desde alone introduces a specific starting point, not a duration
- Spanish uses the present tense where English uses the present perfect for ongoing actions – this is correct and natural