“DEPUIS” is a French preposition that can be tricky to use correctly, especially when it comes to choosing the correct tense to follow it. In this article, we’ll focus on how to use DEPUIS in French when it is followed by the present tense, passé composé, and imparfait.
Let’s see How to Use Depuis in French with examples, audio, and a free PDF to download.
Free PDF at the bottom of the page 📄
Use DEPUIS followed by the present tense to talk about an action that started in the past but continues in the present
Je vis en France depuis trois ans.
I have lived in France for three years.
Depuis quand est-ce que tu étudies le français ?
How long have you been studying French?
J’étudie le français depuis quelques années.
I have been studying French for a few years.
On habite dans cette rue depuis notre enfance.
We have been living in this street since our childhood.
Elle fait de la danse depuis l’âge de six ans.
She has been dancing since the age of six.
Mon frère travaille dans cette entreprise depuis cinq mois.
My brother has been working in this company for five months.
Je vivais en France depuis trois ans quand j’ai rencontré mon mari.
I had been living in France for three years when I met my husband.
J’étudiais le français depuis quelques années quand j’ai décidé de partir pour Paris.
I had been studying French for a few years when I decided to leave for Paris.
Il pratiquait le yoga depuis des années quand il a ouvert son studio.
He had been practicing yoga for years when he opened his studio.
Elle écrivait des romans depuis son adolescence quand elle a publié son premier livre.
She had been writing novels since her teenage years when she published her first book.
Il aimait jouer au football depuis qu’il était petit mais il a arrêté à cause sa blessure.
He liked to play football since he was little but he stopped because of his injury.
Ils étudiaient la chimie depuis deux ans quand ils ont décidé de changer de filière.
They had been studying chemistry for two years when they decided to change majors.
Elle n’a pas voyagé depuis 2010.
She hasn’t traveled since 2010.
On n’est pas partis en vacances depuis au moins 5 ans.
We haven’t been on vacation for at least 5 years.
Je ne l’ai pas vue depuis l’année dernière.
I haven’t seen her since last year.
Il n’a pas fumé depuis son anniversaire.
He hasn’t smoked since his birthday.
Tu ne lui as pas parlé depuis votre dispute ?
You haven’t spoken to him since your fight?
Ils ne m’ont pas téléphoné depuis au moins une semaine.
They haven’t called me for at least a week.
There you have it! You know now how to use depuis in French when followed by different conjugations.
Remember to get your free PDF below.
Check out this lesson on my YouTube channel if you prefer learning with a video lesson.
4 Responses
Great lesson, nice bite sized instruction. Merci pour votre travail comme toujours. You are the best.
Thank you so much Gary 🤩
Hi Dylane, great lessons and books. Thank you. Can you please explain what the differences are for the use of vivre and habiter? Noting that you have several examples of using vivre above. Thank you.
Ian they are simply synonyms 🙂 Je vis au Canada = J’habite au Canada 🙂