Depuis with present tense or imparfait ?

Question

We are always told that depuis is always used with present tense.

1. J‘habite en France depuis 6 ans…. Here depuis is being used with present tense.

2. Quand j’avais l’opportunité de choisir la langue à l’école, mon choix était fait depuis longstemps…… here we are using imparfait with depuis.

Pls explain

Accepted Answer

The combination of depuis and the imparfait corresponds to the past perfect (pluperfect) in English. e.g.
J‘habite en France depuis 6 ans. = I have lived in France for 6 years.
J‘habitais en France depuis 6 ans. = I had lived in France for 6 years.
I don't think this is covered in a lesson.

Answer

Hi Manpreet kaur,
It is imparfait, but in passive voice. So previously the subject would have performed the action (active voice) now the action is being performed by the object. I'm not clear what the original sentence was nor in what tense?
Don't know if this helps?
Jim

Answer

Bonjour Manpreet kaur,
See link here: how-to-form-the-passive-voice-with-simple-tenses
 
I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !