Appointments and duration
Use with the present tense when something started in the past and is still true now. In English, this is often “have been ... since/for,” but in French it is usually simple present:
For a starting point, use + day/date/time: , , . For a duration, you can also use .
A common question is = “Since when?” The answer often repeats :
Do not confuse it with . means it is still continuing. is for a finished duration or a whole period as one block.
| Form | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| since when? | ||
| since when? | ||
| + day | I have been ill since Saturday | |
| I have been ill since Saturday | ||
| + time expression | My head has hurt since this morning | |
| My head has hurt since this morning | ||
| + duration | I have been sleeping badly for two days | |
| I have been sleeping badly for two days | ||
Je suis malade depuis samedi.I have been ill since Saturday.
Vous avez mal à la tête depuis quand ?Since when has your head hurt?
J’ai mal à la gorge depuis ce matin.My throat has hurt since this morning.
Nous sommes ici depuis deux jours.We have been here for two days.
Le voisin joue de la trompette depuis lundi.The neighbour has been playing the trumpet since Monday.
Je ne dors pas bien depuis une semaine.I haven’t been sleeping well for a week.
Vous travaillez à Valbois depuis avril ?Have you been working in Valbois since April?
Mon chat est dans le lit depuis ce matin.My cat has been in the bed since this morning.
Practice 1/6 · Finding words
Notice the useful pattern
Tap the form practised in this unit.
.
I have been ill since Saturday.
?
Since when has your head hurt?
.
My throat has hurt since this morning.
.
We have been here for two days.
Practice 2/6 · The right form
Choose the form
Use the English meaning and the pattern in this unit.
Je suis malade .
I have been ill since Saturday.
Vous avez mal à la tête ?
Since when has your head hurt?
J’ai mal à la gorge .
My throat has hurt since this morning.
Nous sommes ici .
We have been here for two days.
Le voisin joue de la trompette .
The neighbour has been playing the trumpet since Monday.
Je ne dors pas bien .
I haven’t been sleeping well for a week.
Vous travaillez à Valbois ?
Have you been working in Valbois since April?
Mon chat est dans le lit .
My cat has been in the bed since this morning.
Practice 3/6 · Fill the gaps
Complete the messages
Fill the gaps with the words from the box.
J’ai mal à la gorge .
My throat has hurt since this morning.
Nous sommes ici .
We have been here for two days.
Le voisin joue de la trompette .
The neighbour has been playing the trumpet since Monday.
Je ne dors pas bien .
I haven’t been sleeping well for a week.
Vous travaillez à Valbois ?
Have you been working in Valbois since April?
Mon chat est dans le lit .
My cat has been in the bed since this morning.
Practice 4/6 · Building sentences
Build a sentence
Put the words in order.
I have been ill since Saturday.
Since when has your head hurt?
My throat has hurt since this morning.
We have been here for two days.
The neighbour has been playing the trumpet since Monday.
I haven’t been sleeping well for a week.
Practice 5/6 · In situations
What would you say?
Choose the right words for the situation.
I have been ill since Saturday.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
I have been ill since Saturday.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
Since when has your head hurt?
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
Since when has your head hurt?
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
My throat has hurt since this morning.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
My throat has hurt since this morning.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
We have been here for two days.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
We have been here for two days.
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
