Work experience and introductions
French often uses the present tense with for something that started in the past and is still true now: In English, this is often “I have lived here for ten years.”
Use for a finished duration: That action lasted six months and is seen as complete.
In interviews, both patterns are useful: one for your life now, one for completed periods. Compare and .
A simple interview question is Another is Keep answers short and clear at A1 level.
| Form | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| + present | I have lived here for ten years / I’ve been living here for ten years. | |
| I have lived here for ten years / I’ve been living here for ten years. | ||
| + finished time | I worked here for six months. | |
| I worked here for six months. | ||
| Tell me about yourself. | ||
| Tell me about yourself. | ||
| What can you do? | ||
| What can you do? | ||
Lucie habite ici depuis dix ans.Lucie has lived here for ten years.
J’ai travaillé à Valbois pendant six mois.I worked in Valbois for six months.
Je travaille dans une entreprise de meubles depuis janvier.I’ve been working in a furniture company since January.
Parlez-moi de vous.Tell me about yourself.
Je suis allemand et je travaille ici depuis peu de temps.I’m German and I’ve been working here for a short time.
Je suis allemande et je travaille ici depuis peu de temps.I’m German and I’ve been working here for a short time.
Qu’est-ce que vous pouvez faire ?What can you do?
Je suis venu à Valbois pour le travail.I came to Valbois for work.
Je suis venue à Valbois pour le travail.I came to Valbois for work.
J’ai appris un peu de français pendant mon travail ici.I learned a little French during my work here.
Practice 1/6 · Finding words
Notice the useful pattern
Tap the form practised in this unit.
.
Lucie has lived here for ten years.
.
I worked in Valbois for six months.
.
I’ve been working in a furniture company since January.
.
Tell me about yourself.
Practice 2/6 · The right form
Choose the form
Use the English meaning and the pattern in this unit.
Lucie habite ici dix ans.
Lucie has lived here for ten years.
J’ai travaillé à Valbois six mois.
I worked in Valbois for six months.
Je travaille dans une entreprise de meubles janvier.
I’ve been working in a furniture company since January.
Parlez-moi vous.
Tell me about yourself.
Je suis allemand et je travaille ici peu de temps.
I’m German and I’ve been working here for a short time.
Je suis allemande et je travaille ici peu de temps.
I’m German and I’ve been working here for a short time.
Qu’est-ce que vous pouvez ?
What can you do?
Je suis venu à Valbois le travail.
I came to Valbois for work.
Je suis venue à Valbois le travail.
I came to Valbois for work.
J’ai appris un peu de français mon travail ici.
I learned a little French during my work here.
Practice 3/6 · Fill the gaps
Complete the messages
Fill the gaps with the words from the box.
Je travaille dans une entreprise de meubles janvier.
I’ve been working in a furniture company since January.
Parlez-moi vous.
Tell me about yourself.
Je suis allemand et je travaille ici peu de temps.
I’m German and I’ve been working here for a short time.
Je suis allemande et je travaille ici peu de temps.
I’m German and I’ve been working here for a short time.
Qu’est-ce que vous pouvez ?
What can you do?
Je suis venu à Valbois le travail.
I came to Valbois for work.
Je suis venue à Valbois le travail.
I came to Valbois for work.
J’ai appris un peu de français mon travail ici.
I learned a little French during my work here.
Practice 4/6 · Building sentences
Build a sentence
Put the words in order.
Lucie has lived here for ten years.
I worked in Valbois for six months.
I’ve been working in a furniture company since January.
Tell me about yourself.
What can you do?
I came to Valbois for work.
I came to Valbois for work.
Practice 5/6 · In situations
What would you say?
Choose the right words for the situation.
Lucie has lived here for ten years.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
Lucie has lived here for ten years.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
I worked in Valbois for six months.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
I worked in Valbois for six months.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
I’ve been working in a furniture company since January.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
I’ve been working in a furniture company since January.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
Tell me about yourself.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
Tell me about yourself.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
Practice 6/6 · Matching
Connect messages and meanings
Match the pairs.
Unit complete
