If the rule is ne...pas +passe compose +depuis longtemps means not in a long time, surely Martin n'est pas arrive depuis longtemps would translate as Martin hasn't been here in a long time, not Martin hasn't been here long?
You have already seen that in affirmative sentences with depuis (= I have done this since/for + [date/duration]), you must use Présent indicatif in French, unlike the English Present Perfect.
See lesson Using 'depuis' (since / for) with Le Présent and NOT Le Passé Composé (prepositions of time)
But things change when it comes to negative statements (ne...pas) with depuis.
Indeed, in such cases, you will actually use Passé composé in French, as such:
Here we use Passé composé because the use of the negation ne ... pas insists on the fact that the action stopped happening at the specific time mentioned (since/for) in the past.
If we used Présent indicatif here, it would make it sound like the action "keeps on stopping" during the given length of time.
To say that a (recurring) action in the past has now stopped happening with depuis, you can also use Présent indicatif with ne ... plus (not any more) instead of ne ... pas:
Special case of depuis longtemps = not long vs not in a long time
Ne ... pas + Passé composé + depuis longtemps
OR
Ne...plus + Présent indicatif + depuis longtemps
= not for a long time / not in ages
-> It's over and done in the past
OR
Ne...plus + Présent indicatif + depuis longtemps
= not for a long time / not in ages
-> It's over and done in the past
ATTENTION:
Ne...pas + Présent indicatif + depuis longtemps = not long / not for long
-> It started a short while ago, and is still ongoing
See also Expressing for + [duration] with either pendant, durant, depuis or pour (prepositions of time)-> It started a short while ago, and is still ongoing
Learn more about these related French grammar topics
Examples and resources
Q&A Forum 26 questions, 48 answers
Chris Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Martin n'est pas arrivé depuis longtemps -- (literally:) "Martin hasn't arrived for long," which means that he hasn't been here for long.
Alan Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
I agree with Jane, it's quite confusing. According to the lesson, the present tense is translated as "not long", but the passé composé should be translated as "not in a long time". So it should mean "Martin hasn't arrived in a long time", but it seems to be following the rule for the present tense instead.
When arriver means "to happen", I think you do get the expected meaning according to the rules:
"ça n'est pas arrivé depuis longtemps" = "that hasn't happened in a long time"
If I had to guess at an explanation for this, I'd say that the rules in the lesson should be considered just as rules of thumb. When you have a negative sentence it could either be negating the verb (= it didn't happen) or the "longtemps" (= not long). You have to work out which it is from the context.
Chris Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Agreed. It is confusing and not entirely logical. French, in one word. ;)
Jane asked:View original
confusion about the rule taught and example
If the rule is ne...pas +passe compose +depuis longtemps means not in a long time, surely Martin n'est pas arrive depuis longtemps would translate as Martin hasn't been here in a long time, not Martin hasn't been here long?
Don't have an account yet? Join today
BarbaraKwiziq community member
Tenses used with 'depuis'
Tu n'as pas habité ici depuis longtemps. I've studied and understood the rule about using the 'passé composé but I can't see where my mistake is. Help!
Asked 1 month ago
Barbara asked:View original
Tenses used with 'depuis'
Tu n'as pas habité ici depuis longtemps. I've studied and understood the rule about using the 'passé composé but I can't see where my mistake is. Help!
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
QUESTION #1 on the short quiz.
I love the question and its hint "How would you say ''I haven't been in France for long.'' ?(literally: I haven't long arrived to France.)
The answer: Je ne suis pas arrivé en France depuis longtemps.
Je ne me sens pas intelligent et j'ai l'air stupide comme ça depuis longtemps !!! I think i get it! I know I got it! OOOPS me no get it!!
The hint imposes a thought process on the reader which would not be there otherwise. Clever... it reinforces the understanding of the verb 'arriver' as a sort of process.... and shakes up the marbles in the old nuggin.
However!!! My question. I arrived in France 'yesterday' and I am telling someone today that "I haven't been in France for long". I am thinking it calls for the Present indicative and depuis. Since i was in France as of yesterday(the past) and am still here today (the present).
Je ne suis pas en France depuis longtemps!!!
Without the hint and its imposition of the verb 'arriver' then doesn't this question change dramatically.
Help!!!!!!!
Asked 2 months ago
Jameson asked:View original
QUESTION #1 on the short quiz.
I love the question and its hint "How would you say ''I haven't been in France for long.'' ?(literally: I haven't long arrived to France.)
The answer: Je ne suis pas arrivé en France depuis longtemps.
Je ne me sens pas intelligent et j'ai l'air stupide comme ça depuis longtemps !!! I think i get it! I know I got it! OOOPS me no get it!!
The hint imposes a thought process on the reader which would not be there otherwise. Clever... it reinforces the understanding of the verb 'arriver' as a sort of process.... and shakes up the marbles in the old nuggin.
However!!! My question. I arrived in France 'yesterday' and I am telling someone today that "I haven't been in France for long". I am thinking it calls for the Present indicative and depuis. Since i was in France as of yesterday(the past) and am still here today (the present).
Je ne suis pas en France depuis longtemps!!!
Without the hint and its imposition of the verb 'arriver' then doesn't this question change dramatically.
Help!!!!!!!
Don't have an account yet? Join today
PJKwiziq community member
example above with pass´composé
your example above looks wrong... Martin n’est pas arrivé depuis longtemps should mean Martin hasn’t been here in a long time. the past tense implies the action is completed. right???
Asked 2 months ago
PJ asked:View original
example above with pass´composé
your example above looks wrong... Martin n’est pas arrivé depuis longtemps should mean Martin hasn’t been here in a long time. the past tense implies the action is completed. right???
Don't have an account yet? Join today
DianeKwiziq community member
Can someone explain when to use imparfait rather than passé composé with depuis?
Asked 2 months ago
Diane asked:View original
Can someone explain when to use imparfait rather than passé composé with depuis?
Don't have an account yet? Join today
LorieKwiziq community member
ans versus années
Looking at these two sentences:
--Tu n'as pas bu d'alcool depuis cinq ans.
-Tu n'es pas allé en Australie depuis quelques années.
Why does one sentence use "ans" and the other use "années?"
Asked 3 months ago
Hi Lorrie,
We use 'année' in the second sentence for the sake of euphony, it is very hard to say -
quelques ans ( even with a liaison) so quelques années will be said.
But you could say -
Tu n'es pas allé en Australie depuis deux ans
Well spotted!
Chris Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
There is a bit of overlap between using ans and années. It also depends on whether you simply want to state the number of years or stress the duration.
Lorie asked:View original
ans versus années
Looking at these two sentences:
--Tu n'as pas bu d'alcool depuis cinq ans.
-Tu n'es pas allé en Australie depuis quelques années.
Why does one sentence use "ans" and the other use "années?"
Don't have an account yet? Join today
JamesKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
''Nous ne sommes pas arrivés depuis longtemps.'' means: We haven't been there long. (correct)We didn't arrive for long.
Asked 4 months ago
James asked:View original
''Nous ne sommes pas arrivés depuis longtemps.'' means: We haven't been there long. (correct)We didn't arrive for long.
Don't have an account yet? Join today
JamesKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
There should be a `y` to indicate place. Although the English was poor I selected the wrong answer; in line with the tutorial
Asked 4 months ago
James asked:View original
There should be a `y` to indicate place. Although the English was poor I selected the wrong answer; in line with the tutorial
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Sumesh Kwiziq community member
I am confused
Question is you haven't lived here long?
I answered tu n'as pas habilité ici depuis longtemps as per the explanation leçon un négatif sentence i should use passé composé
But kwiziq is saying right answer is
Tu n'habites pas ici depuis longtemps
Please explain
Asked 9 months ago
I believe the lesson says that in this case, one would use the present indicatif:
"Ne...pas + Présent indicatif + depuis longtemps = not long / not for long
-> It started a short while ago, and is still ongoing"Sumesh asked:View original
I am confused
Question is you haven't lived here long?
I answered tu n'as pas habilité ici depuis longtemps as per the explanation leçon un négatif sentence i should use passé composé
But kwiziq is saying right answer is
Tu n'habites pas ici depuis longtemps
Please explain
Don't have an account yet? Join today
LewisKwiziq community member
Again question "...haven't been in France for long."
Test question: How would you say "I haven't been in France for long."?
Per the lesson, Ne...pas + Présent indicatif + depuis longtemps = not long / not for long -> It started a short while ago, and is still ongoing
My answer marked incorrect: Je n'arrive pas en France depuis longtemps.
Correct answer per system: Je ne suis pas arrivé en France depuis longtemps.
According to the lesson,
use of Présent indicatif translates as "not long / not for a long time," whereas
use of Passé composé translates as "not for a long time / not for ages; over and done in the past"
Asked 11 months ago
I would say this:
Je ne suis pas en France depuis longtemps.
Je ne suis pas arrivé en France depuis longtemps.
The former sentence talks about a period which started in the past and continues up until the present time. The second one focuses on the event of the arrival, which has no connection to the present.
LewisKwiziq community member
Thanks, Chris, but I'm afraid the issue isn't resolved.
The test question regards an action that started in the past and continues up to present time ("have not been in France for long"), so I answered the test question using Présent indicatif as per the lesson yet the Kwiziq system marked my answer as incorrect and indicated the correct answer would be the use of Passé composé.
In other words, unless I'm misunderstanding the whole thing, the lesson says to use Présent indicatif but Kwiziq wants Passé composé.
Chris Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
You look at the French sentence, not the English translation. The French sentence takes about the act of arriving. That happened solely in the past.
Lewis asked:View original
Again question "...haven't been in France for long."
Test question: How would you say "I haven't been in France for long."?
Per the lesson, Ne...pas + Présent indicatif + depuis longtemps = not long / not for long -> It started a short while ago, and is still ongoing
My answer marked incorrect: Je n'arrive pas en France depuis longtemps.
Correct answer per system: Je ne suis pas arrivé en France depuis longtemps.
According to the lesson,
use of Présent indicatif translates as "not long / not for a long time," whereas
use of Passé composé translates as "not for a long time / not for ages; over and done in the past"
Don't have an account yet? Join today
CatherineKwiziq community member
Re the example Martin n’est pas arrivé depuis longtemps.
The translation is
Martin hasn’t been here long.
If the sentence is in le passé composé wouldn’t “depuis longtemps” mean “in a long time” and thus the translation would be “Matin hasn’t been here in a long time “?
Regards
Catherine
Asked 11 months ago
A more literal translation would be: Martin hasn't arrived since long ago. Hence the meaning that he hasn't been here long.
Catherine asked:View original
Re the example Martin n’est pas arrivé depuis longtemps.
The translation is
Martin hasn’t been here long.
If the sentence is in le passé composé wouldn’t “depuis longtemps” mean “in a long time” and thus the translation would be “Matin hasn’t been here in a long time “?
Regards
Catherine
Don't have an account yet? Join today
MarnieKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
ne...pas...be...plus..,depuis longtempsOne explanation box lacks example of lesson
the box for ne...pas...depuis longtemps and "ne...plus...depuis longtemps" doesn't have any examples for the "ne...plus" part of lesson
Asked 1 year ago
Marnie asked:View original
ne...pas...be...plus..,depuis longtempsOne explanation box lacks example of lesson
the box for ne...pas...depuis longtemps and "ne...plus...depuis longtemps" doesn't have any examples for the "ne...plus" part of lesson
Don't have an account yet? Join today
LewisKwiziq community member
Still confused
I've read through the questions and answers below, but still don't understand the following example.
Test question: "I haven't been in France for long?" (ie, I recently arrived and I'm still here; ongoing).
From the lesson it seems the best construction would be: Ne...pas + Présent Indicatif + depuis longtemps (started a short while ago and is still ongoing).
But Kwiziq says the best answer is: Ne...pas + Passé Composé + depuis longtemps (not for a long time / not in ages).
If someone could explain it more clearly, thanks.
Asked 1 year ago
Hi Lewis,
I will try and explain further but I can understand your confusion ...
I am not sure what test you are referring to, but have a look at the following examples:
Je n'ai pas mangé depuis trois jours. = I have not eaten for three days. (meaning it is likely to change today)
Je ne mange pas depuis trois jours... = I have not eaten for three days...(meaning it is likely to carry on today and it is maybe worrying you
On ne se parle pas depuis longtemps. = we have not spoken for ages . (sounds like you won't do it again, maybe you have had a fall out )
On ne s'est pas parlé depuis longtemps. = We have not spoken in ages. (meaning you need to have a catch-up soon)
Hope this helps!
Lewis asked:View original
Still confused
I've read through the questions and answers below, but still don't understand the following example.
Test question: "I haven't been in France for long?" (ie, I recently arrived and I'm still here; ongoing).
From the lesson it seems the best construction would be: Ne...pas + Présent Indicatif + depuis longtemps (started a short while ago and is still ongoing).
But Kwiziq says the best answer is: Ne...pas + Passé Composé + depuis longtemps (not for a long time / not in ages).
If someone could explain it more clearly, thanks.
Don't have an account yet? Join today
KateKwiziq community member
You haven't lived here long is in the B1 test
The correct answer is "Tu n'habites pas ici depuis longtemps" yet the lesson shows using the passé composé in negative sentences with "depuis" Why is the correct response in the present tense?
Asked 1 year ago
Chris Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Hi Kate,
the correct use of times with depuis can be tricky. Here are the rules in a nutshell.
If stating something that has been happening for a while and still ongoing, you use depuis with the present tense:
J'habite à Paris depuis 5 ans. -- I have been living in Paris for five years (and I still live here).
In negative sentences where the action is already past, you use the passé composé:
Je ne l'ai pas vu depuis son départ. -- I haven't seen him since his departure.
You may use the present tense if you are referring to a (frequently recurring or habitual) action which stopped in the past:
Tu ne fumes plus depuis l'été dernier. -- You don't smoke anymore since last summer.
-- Chris (not a native speaker).
Kate asked:View original
You haven't lived here long is in the B1 test
The correct answer is "Tu n'habites pas ici depuis longtemps" yet the lesson shows using the passé composé in negative sentences with "depuis" Why is the correct response in the present tense?
Don't have an account yet? Join today
CrystalMaidenKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
When describing past events with depuis, can you substitute Present Indicative for Imperfect?
Asked 1 year ago
Yes, in cases where the enunciation time is in the past, you will indeed use L'Imparfait instead of Le Présent.
However, your sentence here is not quite right: you cannot use "à cette époque de sa vie", and then talk about something that started before (depuis cinq jours).
You would use either say :
Il était sans domicile depuis cinq jours.
OR
À cette époque de sa vie, il était sans domicile.
I hope that's helpful!
Bonne journée !
CrystalMaidenKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
" Par ce moment en sa vie, il était sans foyer depuis cinq journées. "
CrystalMaiden asked:View original
When describing past events with depuis, can you substitute Present Indicative for Imperfect?
Don't have an account yet? Join today
MichaelKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Instruction manque le "Ne...pas +"
Je pense que cette instruction: "Le Passé Composé + depuis longtemps OR ne...plus + Le Présent + depuis longtemps = not for a long time / not in ages -> It's over and done in the past" manque le "Ne ... Pas + " au début.
Asked 2 years ago
AurélieKwiziq team member
Merci beaucoup Michael !
Indeed, the "ne...pas" was missing here.
Thanks to you, it's now been fixed :)
À bientôt !
Michael asked:View original
Instruction manque le "Ne...pas +"
Je pense que cette instruction: "Le Passé Composé + depuis longtemps OR ne...plus + Le Présent + depuis longtemps = not for a long time / not in ages -> It's over and done in the past" manque le "Ne ... Pas + " au début.
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Kwiziq community member
depuis and Imparfait
I came across a sentence in a book where "depuis" was used along with the imparfait - can maybe you please confirm if it was used correctly?
"Comme je ne faisais pas de bruit depuis un moment, maman est venue voir ce qui se passait."
Merci d'avance!
Asked 2 years ago
Bonjour abt,
If I am correctly understanding your question: «Comme je ne faisais pas de bruit depuis un moment, maman est venue voir ce qui se passait.» ---> As I was quiet for a while, mother came to see what was going on. Because you indicated that this came from a book, it appears to me that the author was writing descriptive text. Also, the quietness had been going on when the mother came to see what was happening, it had begun prior to her entering the area and was continuing up until she entered. In French this is a normal use of l'imparfait and depuis.
« the action started in the past, but is still ongoing at the time we speak.
In French, you use depuis to express an ongoing duration.»
«Note that L'Imparfait is also used for descriptions, i.e. to help visualise the setting or atmosphere in which an action took place, characters, location, time frame ...
In a similar way, L'Imparfait is also used to express opinions about the past:»
J'espère que ma réponse vous aiderait.
Bonne chance et bonne continuation dans vos études en français, la langue de Molière et qui a été utilisé par le monde français depuis l’époque d’Hugues Capet
If I am correctly understanding your question: «Comme je ne faisais pas de bruit depuis un moment, maman est venue voir ce qui se passait.» ---> As I was quiet for a while, mother came to see what was going on. Because you indicated that this came from a book, it appears to me that the author was writing descriptive text. Also, the quietness had been going on when the mother came to see what was happening, it had begun prior to her entering the area and was continuing up until she entered. In French this is a normal use of l'imparfait and depuis.
« the action started in the past, but is still ongoing at the time we speak.
In French, you use depuis to express an ongoing duration.»
«Note that L'Imparfait is also used for descriptions, i.e. to help visualise the setting or atmosphere in which an action took place, characters, location, time frame ...
In a similar way, L'Imparfait is also used to express opinions about the past:»
J'espère que ma réponse vous aiderait.
Bonne chance et bonne continuation dans vos études en français, la langue de Molière et qui a été utilisé par le monde français depuis l’époque d’Hugues Capet
Kwiziq community member
Merci Ron! Yes, your explanation makes sense. I was just not expecting the 2 to go together.
Abt asked:View original
depuis and Imparfait
I came across a sentence in a book where "depuis" was used along with the imparfait - can maybe you please confirm if it was used correctly?
"Comme je ne faisais pas de bruit depuis un moment, maman est venue voir ce qui se passait."
Merci d'avance!
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Kwiziq community member
Sorry Ron! I pressed the enter key too quickly and before I could enter the actual question. <y question was about "depuis and Imparfait" which you answered above :)
Don't have an account yet? Join today
HarrietKwiziq community member
Le Passé Composé + depuis longtemps= not long / not for long
Maybe I've not understood this bit of the lesson, but shouldn't this say '= not in a long time' instead of '= not for long'?
Asked 2 years ago
GruffKwiziq team member
Hi Harriet - can you be more specific about which sentence or part of the lesson you mean?
HarrietKwiziq community member
Sorry, tried to put it as the question title but it was too long. It's the second to last note of the lesson: 'Le Passé Composé + depuis longtemps OR ne...plus + Le Présent + depuis longtemps = not long / not for long
-> It's over and done in the past'
GruffKwiziq team member
Ah, yes, I see what you mean. Indeed, those cases correlate to "not for a long time". I'll get that clarified. Thanks!
Harriet asked:View original
Le Passé Composé + depuis longtemps= not long / not for long
Maybe I've not understood this bit of the lesson, but shouldn't this say '= not in a long time' instead of '= not for long'?
Don't have an account yet? Join today
BrianKwiziq community member
Ne...pas + le présent + depuis longtemps
Nous ne sommes pas arrivés depuis longtemps.
We have not been here for long.
My question is, that since the English translation appears to imply that the action continues into the present, why is the above French sentence in le passé composé and not le présent.
Like the examples: Je ne vis pas en France depuis longtemps.
I have not lived in France for long.
Nous n'habitons pas ici depuis très longtemps.
We haven't lived here very long.
This is my third attempt to get an answer. The previous answers told me to read the lesson. I have read it many times. What am I missing?
Asked 2 years ago
Bonjour Brian !
The case of "arriver" is tricky because you use "to be" in English:
Literally, the French sentence means "We haven't arrived for long", referring to the action of arriving, not being there.
Therefore, this is not an action that is still ongoing: you have stopped arriving in the past, you don't "keep" arriving.
That's why you will use Le Passé Composé here.
I hope that's helpful!
À bientôt !
The case of "arriver" is tricky because you use "to be" in English:
Literally, the French sentence means "We haven't arrived for long", referring to the action of arriving, not being there.
Therefore, this is not an action that is still ongoing: you have stopped arriving in the past, you don't "keep" arriving.
That's why you will use Le Passé Composé here.
I hope that's helpful!
À bientôt !
StevenKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Hi Aurélie,
Could we also write "Nous ne sommes pas là depuis longtemps" as an alternative translation for "We haven't been here for long"? That way we omit the verb arriver altogether.
AurélieKwiziq team member
Bonjour Steven !
This is a correct alternative, though note that the "arriver" option is very colloquial and therefore worth remembering :)
Bonne journée !
Brian asked:View original
Ne...pas + le présent + depuis longtemps
Nous ne sommes pas arrivés depuis longtemps.
We have not been here for long.
My question is, that since the English translation appears to imply that the action continues into the present, why is the above French sentence in le passé composé and not le présent.
Like the examples: Je ne vis pas en France depuis longtemps.
I have not lived in France for long.
Nous n'habitons pas ici depuis très longtemps.
We haven't lived here very long.
This is my third attempt to get an answer. The previous answers told me to read the lesson. I have read it many times. What am I missing?
Don't have an account yet? Join today
JasonKwiziq community member
Clarifying using depuis in the negative
Does 'nous ne sommes pas là depuis longtemps' mean 'we have been here, but not for long', or 'we have been absent for a long time'?
Asked 3 years ago
Bonjour Jason !
The first one is correct: "We have been here but not for long.".
À bientôt !
The first one is correct: "We have been here but not for long.".
À bientôt !
JasonKwiziq community member
Thanks Aurélie. This is super weird to me because it seems like in the Le Présent construction, it's almost like the negation applies more to the duration rather than the action.
Nous n'avons pas été là depuis 1998 means "We have not been here since 1998; or, we have been absent since 1998". Does "Nous ne sommes pas là depuis trois minutes" mean "we were absent for 3 minutes (but are now here)", or "We have been here, but not not for 3 minutes"? Or is perhaps longtemps a special case?
Thoroughly confused! Thanks for answering our questions!
KathyKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Hi Jason,
I'm just learning this construction too but thought I'd try and address your question.
To me, the present tense makes sense as "nous ne sommes pas là depuis longtemps" literally translates (in bad English) to "we aren't here since long". Implying we got here not long ago.
I'm certain "depuis longtemps" is a special case, and don't think "Nous ne sommes pas là depuis trois minutes" is correct. The lesson above states that If we used Le Présent with depuis, it would make it sound like the action "keeps on stopping" during the given length of time. We need to use the past tense, or the present but with "ne... plus"
Hope this helps.
Jason asked:View original
Clarifying using depuis in the negative
Does 'nous ne sommes pas là depuis longtemps' mean 'we have been here, but not for long', or 'we have been absent for a long time'?
Don't have an account yet? Join today
LaineKwiziq community member
Am I wrong?
On a quiz, I answered the question, "How would you say ''Suzanne hasn't seen him since 2013.'' ?" with "Suzanne ne le voit pas depuis 2013." because, to me it is very clear that it's something on going, and is still true. The answer KwizBot gave me was that "Suzanne ne l'a pas vu depuis 2013." which would imply that perhaps or perhaps not Suzanne has seen her or him since 2013, since the action in the past is finished.
Asked 3 years ago
Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
When you write "Suzanne ne le voit pas depuis 2013" you are not expressing "hasn't seen" you are expressing "did not see".
To express "Suzanne hasn't seen him since 2013" you have to think that you are describing a situation in the past which is complete. "Suzanne has not seen him etc" therefore I agree with "Suzanne ne l'a pas vu depuis 2013"
Hope that helps.
Alan
AndrewKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
I don't get this either and find myself agreeing with Laine. Surely if Suzanne hasn't seen him since 2013 and she still hasn't seen him then it's an action that started in the past but is still going on in the present, and hence requires the present tense?
What would "Suzanne ne le voit pas depuis 2013" translate as? Or is it meaningless in French?
Thanks for any clarification
MelodyKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Laine and Andrew- I had a similar problem with this question, and reported as a problem on the question, about 2 weeks ago. No response as yet.
I did find this on another site-
In negative sentences, depending on the meaning, depuis may be used with either the present (action still going on) or the passé composé to indicate how long something has not been going on (non-action).
If that is indeed correct, then I understand why I got the question wrong. But the Kwiz lesson does not make this distinction. And, I have know way of knowing if the explanation from the other site is correct (although in my experience it's extremely reliable- and has been around a lot longer than Kwiziq).
MeghnaKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
I have the same issue with this question. I keep getting it wrong when to me the Right answer is not 'Suzanne ne l'a pas vu depuis 2013´. Suzanne HASN'Tseen him clearly means she hasn't yet seen him and hence the present tense should apply. The correct answer must be ´Suzanne ne l'a pas vu depuis 2013.´
Can the powers that be at kwizik pls clarify - I need my diamond score ! And this is one question I keep repeatedly failing at.
KathyKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Hm, I don't see the confusion. If anything it is directly consistent with the example given in this lesson:
Elle ne t'a pas vu depuis trois mois.
She hasn't seen you for three months.
Following this lesson, the present tense is only applicable in two cases:
1) using "ne... plus". So, "Suzanne ne le voit PLUS depuis 2013"
2) using "depuis longtemps". But this would change the meaning of this example altogether...
Does that help?
Laine asked:View original
Am I wrong?
On a quiz, I answered the question, "How would you say ''Suzanne hasn't seen him since 2013.'' ?" with "Suzanne ne le voit pas depuis 2013." because, to me it is very clear that it's something on going, and is still true. The answer KwizBot gave me was that "Suzanne ne l'a pas vu depuis 2013." which would imply that perhaps or perhaps not Suzanne has seen her or him since 2013, since the action in the past is finished.
Don't have an account yet? Join today
JohnKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Please translate "I am not going to Australia for a few years."
Does "depuis" always imply a past tense meaning so that it cannot be used in this sentence with the present tense of "aller?" Should the futur proche or the futur be used? Perhaps "Tu ne vas pas en Australie depuis quelques années, should probably avoided unless it is put in a specific context. Thanks.
Asked 4 years ago
LauraKwiziq team member
Bonjour John,
That's correct, depuis always indicates a meaning in the past. To talk about "for" in the future, use pendant.
You can use the present of aller, the futur proche, or the future.
Je ne vais pas en Australie pendant quelques années.
Je ne vais pas aller en Australie ...
Je n'irai pas en Australie...
"Tu ne vas pas en Australie depuis quelques années" means that you haven't gone in the last few years; it cannot have a future meaning.
JohnKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Thanks Laura. It has taken me a few days to get my head around this lesson and your answer is a big help.
StevenKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Hi Laura,
Would "pour" also be acceptable here? As in, "Je ne vais pas aller en Australie pour quelques années."
John asked:View original
Please translate "I am not going to Australia for a few years."
Does "depuis" always imply a past tense meaning so that it cannot be used in this sentence with the present tense of "aller?" Should the futur proche or the futur be used? Perhaps "Tu ne vas pas en Australie depuis quelques années, should probably avoided unless it is put in a specific context. Thanks.
Don't have an account yet? Join today
AndyKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Martin n'est pas arrivé depuis longtemps.
This is also a tricky example to comprehend because here arriver is translated as having the same meaning as être.
Would it be possible to see a translation of "Martin n'arrive pas depuis longtemps." to compare the difference the tense makes (for clarification) please?
Asked 4 years ago
Bonjour Martin,
The tricky issue here is that you can't use the verb "to arrive" the same way as we use "arriver" in French. In this context, you'd rather use "to be" in English, however you need to remember that "arriver" in French is more of a process (i.e. in bad English it would be closer to "Martin hasn't got/arrived there for long").
Therefore, here, the process of "getting there" IS finished in the past, and NOT ongoing in the present: that's why you need to use Le Passé Composé.
FYI, "Martin n'arrive pas depuis longtemps." would give a very weird "Martin hasn't been getting there for long.", giving the impression that he's still in the process of arriving!
I hope that's helpful!
The tricky issue here is that you can't use the verb "to arrive" the same way as we use "arriver" in French. In this context, you'd rather use "to be" in English, however you need to remember that "arriver" in French is more of a process (i.e. in bad English it would be closer to "Martin hasn't got/arrived there for long").
Therefore, here, the process of "getting there" IS finished in the past, and NOT ongoing in the present: that's why you need to use Le Passé Composé.
FYI, "Martin n'arrive pas depuis longtemps." would give a very weird "Martin hasn't been getting there for long.", giving the impression that he's still in the process of arriving!
I hope that's helpful!
Andy asked:View original
Martin n'est pas arrivé depuis longtemps.
This is also a tricky example to comprehend because here arriver is translated as having the same meaning as être.
Would it be possible to see a translation of "Martin n'arrive pas depuis longtemps." to compare the difference the tense makes (for clarification) please?
Don't have an account yet? Join today
AndyKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Is the following a correct way to approach this?
Depending on the context, I really struggled to see the distinction between which tense was appropriate to use with "depuis" and the negative.
(I'm sure my Kwiziq results reflect that!)
I've seen it described that The Present Tense is used when an action was taken in the past and is still the case now, and that Le Passé Composé is used to describe for how long something has not been going on.
That is to describe an action that was not taken in the past, and has still not been taken yet.
Is this an accurate way to decide which Tense is appropriate to use in negative sentences with depuis?
Asked 4 years ago
AurélieKwiziq team member
Bonjour Andy,
Yes, it's an accurate way to see it.
Here is an example for using Le Passé Composé:
"Il n'a pas mangé de viande depuis 4 ans." versus "Il ne mange pas de viande depuis 4 ans."
In the first case, we consider the action of "not eating" as finished in the past (i.e. He hasn't eaten meat for four years.) implying that he could be eating meat NOW, whereas the second sentence insists on the prolongation of the action of "not eating" all through the past up to the present moment (i.e.He hasn't been eating meat for 4 years.), he's STILL not eating meat.
I hope that's helpful!
JasonKwiziq community member
Hi Aurelie
"Suzanne ne l'a pas vu depuis 2013" vs "Suzanne ne le voit pas depuis 2013" - do both mean "Suzanne hasn't seen him since 2013", but the second implies that she is now or soon going to see him?
Cheers
Jason
Andy asked:View original
Is the following a correct way to approach this?
Depending on the context, I really struggled to see the distinction between which tense was appropriate to use with "depuis" and the negative.
(I'm sure my Kwiziq results reflect that!)
I've seen it described that The Present Tense is used when an action was taken in the past and is still the case now, and that Le Passé Composé is used to describe for how long something has not been going on.
That is to describe an action that was not taken in the past, and has still not been taken yet.
Is this an accurate way to decide which Tense is appropriate to use in negative sentences with depuis?
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Kwiziq community member
Martin n'est pas arrivé depuis longtemps
A negative completed in the past, would that not be (in English)
"had" instead of "have"?? Because "has not" sounds uncompleted
Asked 4 years ago
Bonjour Robert,
The passé composé can indicate that something happened in the past (Il est arrivé à 8 heures) or that it happened in the past but still has an effect on the present, as in your example. By saying "he hasn't been here," it's clear that he is still here. If you say "hadn't" that would mean that he's no longer here.
The passé composé can indicate that something happened in the past (Il est arrivé à 8 heures) or that it happened in the past but still has an effect on the present, as in your example. By saying "he hasn't been here," it's clear that he is still here. If you say "hadn't" that would mean that he's no longer here.
Robert asked:View original
Martin n'est pas arrivé depuis longtemps
A negative completed in the past, would that not be (in English)
"had" instead of "have"?? Because "has not" sounds uncompleted
Don't have an account yet? Join today
