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A2 French Word Pair

Depuis vs Pendant vs Il y a: Since, For, Ago

depuis vs pendant vs il y a

1:03 min video · 3 sentences · 3 key words

Transcript with English

Hide the English to test yourself.
  1. J’attends le train depuis une heure.I have been waiting for the train for an hour.
  2. Il dort pendant tout le film.He sleeps during the whole film.
  3. Nous avons déménagé il y a deux ans.We moved two years ago.

About this lesson

Three short situations show when to use depuis, pendant and il y a with time.

How to practise

  1. Before each example plays, pick the word that fits and say your answer out loud.
  2. Read the difference card, then repeat every example in the À toi · Your turn pause.
  3. At the end, check the common mistake so you never make it again.

The difference: depuis vs pendant vs il y a

  • depuis since / for (ongoing). Action started in the past and continues now.
  • pendant during / for. How long something lasted, often finished.
  • il y a ago. Counts back from now to a past moment.

Common mistake: Je habite ici pendant deux ans. ✗ · J'habite ici depuis deux ans. ✓ (The action continues now, so French uses depuis with the present.)

Which one fits?

Say the missing word out loud first, then open the answer.

  1. J’attends le train ＿＿ une heure.

    depuis / pendant / il y a · Still waiting right now

    Show the answer

    J’attends le train depuis une heure.

    I have been waiting for the train for an hour.

  2. Il dort ＿＿ tout le film.

    pendant / depuis / il y a · Duration of a finished event

    Show the answer

    Il dort pendant tout le film.

    He sleeps during the whole film.

  3. Nous avons déménagé ＿＿ deux ans.

    il y a / depuis / pendant · Moment in the past, counted back

    Show the answer

    Nous avons déménagé il y a deux ans.

    We moved two years ago.

Key words

FrenchEnglishLevel
depuissince / for (ongoing)
pendantduring / for
il y aago

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