Desde Hace vs. Durante
What's the Difference?
Desde hace and Durante are both Spanish expressions used to indicate a period of time. However, they are used in slightly different contexts. Desde hace is used to indicate the starting point of a period of time that is still ongoing, while Durante is used to indicate the entire duration of a specific period of time. For example, you would use Desde hace to say "I have been studying Spanish for three years" to indicate that you started studying three years ago and are still studying. On the other hand, you would use Durante to say "I studied Spanish for three years" to indicate that you studied Spanish for the entire three-year period.
Comparison
| Attribute | Desde Hace | Durante |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Since | During |
| Time Frame | Specific starting point in the past | Duration of time |
| Usage | Used with a specific point in time | Used with a period of time |
| Examples | He vivido en esta ciudad desde hace cinco años. | Estudié mucho durante la semana pasada. |
Further Detail
Definition
Desde hace and durante are both Spanish expressions that are used to indicate the duration of an action or event. However, they are used in slightly different contexts and have different nuances in meaning.
Desde Hace
Desde hace is used to indicate the starting point of an action or event that is still ongoing. It is often translated as "for" or "since" in English. For example, "Llevo estudiando español desde hace dos años" means "I have been studying Spanish for two years." Desde hace is used with a specific period of time to indicate how long the action has been taking place.
Durante
Durante, on the other hand, is used to indicate the duration of an action or event without specifying when it started or ended. It is often translated as "during" or "for" in English. For example, "Durante la clase, los estudiantes prestaron atención" means "During the class, the students paid attention." Durante is used with a general period of time to indicate when the action took place.
Usage
Desde hace is used when the focus is on the duration of the action or event that has been ongoing for a specific period of time. It emphasizes the continuity of the action from a specific starting point. Durante, on the other hand, is used when the focus is on the action or event itself that took place within a general period of time. It does not specify the starting point or duration of the action.
Examples
- Desde hace: Llevo trabajando en esta empresa desde hace cinco años. (I have been working at this company for five years.)
- Durante: Durante el verano, viajé por Europa. (During the summer, I traveled around Europe.)
Similarities
Despite their differences, desde hace and durante both indicate the duration of an action or event. They are both used to provide information about how long something has been happening or when it took place. They are essential expressions in Spanish for conveying the temporal aspect of actions and events.
Conclusion
Desde hace and durante are two important expressions in Spanish that are used to indicate the duration of actions or events. While desde hace focuses on the continuity of an action from a specific starting point, durante emphasizes the action or event that took place within a general period of time. Understanding the differences between these two expressions is crucial for accurately conveying the temporal aspect of actions and events in Spanish.
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