Mastering the use of desde and durante is a crucial step in achieving fluency in Spanish. While both these words pertain to time, they are used in different contexts and have different meanings. This article will delve into the nuances of desde and durante, providing examples and tips to help you use them accurately in everyday conversations.

Desde and Durante

Both desde and durante indicates time. On the one hand, desde often translates to since or from, indicating the beginning of a period or a point in time. On the other hand, durante means during, denoting the duration or continuity of an action. Let’s see some examples of use with desde and durante.

Desde + specific time

Desde can be followed by a noun that refers to a past time.

1. Desde + specific date

No soy nueva en la ciudad. Vivo aquí desde 2021.

I’m not new in the city. I live here since 2021.

Hoy es mi segundo día. Trabajo aquí desde el lunes.

Today is my second day. I work here since Monday.

2. Desde + past events or situations

No he visto a Luis desde la boda de mi prima.

I haven’t seen Luis since my cousin’s wedding.

No has comido pescado desde tu último ataque de alergia.

You haven’t eaten fish since your last allergic reaction.

Desde hace + period of time

If you refer to a period of time, you should use desde hace. This can only be used with the verb in Presente.

Carla vive aquí desde hace cuatro años.

Carla has been living here for 4 years.

Yo estudio español desde hace varios meses.

I have been studying Spanish for several months.

Desde que + sentence

You can use desde que to refer to an action that affects the present. It can be used with present or past verbs.

1. Desde que with present verbs

Desde que vivo aquí, soy más feliz que antes.

Since I live here I’m happier than before.

Desde que no bebo leche, me siento mejor por las mañanas.

Since I don’t drink milk I feel better in the morning.

2. Desde que with past verbs

When you use desde que with past verbs, you introduce a fact or an idea that took place in the past. It is the starting point for an action that started in the past and continues in the present.

Julia está enferma desde que volvió de su viaje.

Julia is sick since she returned from her trip.

Desde que el cocinero se fue la comida es mucho mejor.

Since the cook left the food is much better.

Durante + period of time

The action lasts for the period of time introduced by durante. It can be used with present or past verbs.

1. Durante with present verbs

Los empleados trabajan durante 8 horas.

The employees work for 8 hours.

Las niñas escuchan a la profesora durante la clase.

The girls listen to the teacher during the lesson.

2. Durante with past verbs

Los estudiantes descansaron durante las vacaciones de verano.

The students rested during the summer vacation.

Cuando Pilar vivía en París, trabajaba durante el día y estudiaba por la noche.

When Pilar lived in Paris, she used to work during the day and at night.

Durante vs Desde

Look at these examples and notice the difference.

Natalia trabaja en la empresa durante el verano.

Natalia works at the company during summer.

Natalia trabaja en la empresa desde el verano.

Natalia has worked at the company for four years.

Exercises

Here are some exercises to practice desde and durante.

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Categorized in:

PrepositionsGrammar