Introduction
One of the most confusing aspects of Spanish grammar for English speakers is expressing how long something has been happening. In English, we often say things like I have been learning Spanish for two years, but Spanish handles this concept quite differently depending on context. This article will guide you through three essential expressions: desde, hace, and llevar. These three words are the cornerstone of discussing ongoing time in Spanish, and mastering them will significantly improve your ability to communicate about duration and continuous actions. By the end of this article, you will understand when to use each expression and how to construct grammatically correct sentences that accurately convey the passage of time.
Understanding the Concept of Ongoing Time
Before diving into the specific grammar rules, it is important to understand what we mean by ongoing time. Ongoing time refers to actions or situations that began in the past and continue into the present moment. This is fundamentally different from completed actions. For example, the difference between I lived in Spain (completed action) and I have been living in Spain (ongoing action) is crucial in Spanish. The latter implies the action is still happening now, which is exactly what desde, hace, and llevar express.
Spanish learners often struggle with this concept because English uses the present perfect continuous tense, while Spanish employs present tense with these time expressions. This difference might seem odd at first, but it becomes intuitive with practice and explanation.
The Expression Desde
Basic Meaning and Usage
Desde is a preposition that means since or from. When expressing ongoing time, desde indicates the starting point of an action. The key structure is: present tense verb + desde + starting point.
Example sentences:
Trabajo en esta empresa desde 2015. (I have been working at this company since 2015.)
Ella vive aquí desde el año pasado. (She has been living here since last year.)
Estudiamos español desde enero. (We have been studying Spanish since January.)
Time References with Desde
Desde can be followed by various time expressions to indicate the starting point. You can use specific dates, months, years, or even time references like el lunes pasado (last Monday) or hace dos años (two years ago). The flexibility of desde makes it one of the most versatile expressions for discussing ongoing time.
Example with different time references:
Desde hace tres meses trabajo aquí. (I have been working here for three months.)
Desde 2010, ella estudia medicina. (Since 2010, she has been studying medicine.)
Desde que llegué, he estado muy ocupado. (Since I arrived, I have been very busy.)
Combining Desde Hace
An important variation is desde hace, which combines the two expressions. This phrase is extremely common and useful. When you use desde hace plus a time duration, you are indicating how long something has been happening. The structure is: present tense + desde hace + time duration.
Example sentences:
Vivo aquí desde hace cinco años. (I have been living here for five years.)
Conocemos a María desde hace mucho tiempo. (We have known María for a long time.)
¿Desde hace cuánto tiempo estudias español? (How long have you been studying Spanish?)
The Expression Hace
Understanding Hace for Duration
Hace is perhaps the most commonly used expression for indicating ongoing time in Spanish. This word literally means ago, but in the context of ongoing actions, it functions differently. The basic structure is: hace + time duration + present tense verb.
Example sentences:
Hace tres años que trabajo aquí. (I have been working here for three years.)
Hace dos meses que ella no come carne. (She has not been eating meat for two months.)
Hace una semana que llegaron. (They have been here for one week.)
Word Order with Hace
One important thing to note about hace is flexibility in word order. You can structure the sentence in two ways:
Option 1: Hace + time duration + que + present tense verb
Hace dos años que vivo en Madrid. (I have been living in Madrid for two years.)
Option 2: Present tense verb + hace + time duration
Vivo en Madrid hace dos años. (I have been living in Madrid for two years.)
Both structures are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. The first option is more common in formal writing and speech, while the second is frequently used in everyday conversation.
Negative Statements with Hace
Hace also works well in negative statements to express how long something has not been happening. The structure remains the same, but the verb is negated.
Example sentences:
Hace seis meses que no veo a mis padres. (I have not seen my parents for six months.)
Hace un año que no viajamos. (We have not traveled for one year.)
Hace tres días que no llove. (It has not rained for three days.)
The Verb Llevar
Basic Usage of Llevar
Llevar is a verb that can mean to carry or to take, but in the context of expressing ongoing time, it functions as to have been. The structure is: subject + llevar (conjugated in present tense) + time duration + gerund (verb ending in -ando or -iendo).
Example sentences:
Llevo cinco años trabajando en esta empresa. (I have been working at this company for five years.)
Ella lleva dos meses estudiando para el examen. (She has been studying for the exam for two months.)
Llevamos una hora esperando el autobús. (We have been waiting for the bus for one hour.)
Conjugating Llevar
Since llevar is a regular verb, it conjugates like any other regular -ar verb in the present tense.
Yo llevo (I have been)
Tú llevas (You have been)
Él/Ella/Usted lleva (He/She/You have been)
Nosotros llevamos (We have been)
Vosotros lleváis (You all have been)
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes llevan (They/You all have been)
Example with different subjects:
¿Cuánto tiempo llevas viviendo aquí? (How long have you been living here?)
Mi hermano lleva tres años aprendiendo guitarra. (My brother has been learning guitar for three years.)
Llevamos diez años de casados. (We have been married for ten years.)
Understanding the Gerund with Llevar
When using llevar, you must follow it with a gerund. The gerund is the ing form in English. In Spanish, regular verbs form the gerund by:
-ar verbs: replace -ar with -ando (trabajar becomes trabajando)
-er/-ir verbs: replace -er or -ir with -iendo (comer becomes comiendo, vivir becomes viviendo)
Irregular gerunds exist but are less common. For example:
Dormir becomes durmiendo
Sentir becomes sintiendo
Pedir becomes pidiendo
Comparing the Three Expressions
When to Use Each Expression
All three expressions convey the same basic meaning, but native speakers often prefer one over another depending on context. Desde is used when you want to emphasize the starting point. Hace is the most versatile and commonly used in all contexts. Llevar is frequently used when discussing continuous actions with emphasis on the progressive nature of the activity.
Example showing all three with the same meaning:
Vivo aquí desde 2018. (I have been living here since 2018.)
Hace cinco años que vivo aquí. (I have been living here for five years.)
Llevo cinco años viviendo aquí. (I have been living here for five years.)
Frequency and Register
Hace is statistically the most common expression in everyday Spanish. It appears frequently in casual conversation, formal writing, and all registers of Spanish. Llevar is equally common but slightly more formal or literary. Desde is very common but typically used when the starting point is the focus rather than the duration. In professional or academic settings, all three are acceptable, though hace remains the default choice.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Mistake 1: Using Past Tense Instead of Present Tense
English speakers often make the mistake of using the present perfect tense (he trabajado) or past tense (trabajé) when expressing ongoing time. Remember that in Spanish, you use the simple present tense with these expressions.
Incorrect: He trabajado aquí desde hace tres años. (This suggests the action just finished.)
Correct: Trabajo aquí desde hace tres años. (This correctly expresses ongoing action.)
Mistake 2: Forgetting the Gerund with Llevar
Many learners forget that llevar must be followed by a gerund. You cannot use it with a regular verb form.
Incorrect: Llevo tres años trabajo aquí.
Correct: Llevo tres años trabajando aquí.
Mistake 3: Confusing Desde Hace with Hace
While both expressions are correct, mixing them can create confusion. Do not use both in the same sentence.
Incorrect: Desde hace tres años que trabajo aquí.
Correct: Desde hace tres años trabajo aquí. OR Hace tres años que trabajo aquí.
Practical Exercises
To internalize these expressions, practice converting sentences between the three forms. Take a simple statement and express it using desde, hace, and llevar. For example:
Starting with: I have been learning Spanish for two years.
Using desde: Estudio español desde hace dos años.
Using hace: Hace dos años que estudio español.
Using llevar: Llevo dos años estudiando español.
Practice with various time durations and subjects to build confidence and fluency.
Conclusion
Mastering desde, hace, and llevar is essential for any Spanish learner who wants to express ongoing time accurately and naturally. While all three expressions convey similar meanings, each has its own context and usage patterns. Desde emphasizes the starting point, hace is the most versatile and commonly used option, and llevar highlights the continuous nature of an action. By understanding the structure of each expression, practicing with real examples, and avoiding common mistakes, you will develop a strong command of this crucial grammar topic. Remember to always use the present tense with these expressions, incorporate gerunds when using llevar, and pay attention to word order when using hace. With consistent practice, these patterns will become second nature, and you will be able to discuss duration and ongoing actions with confidence and accuracy.
