Understanding the Differences Between “Depuis,” “Pendant,” and “Pour” in French

When learning French Grammar, especially at the A2 level, it’s important to master the usage of prepositions that help you talk about time and duration. Three common French Grammar prepositions—“Depuis,” “Pendant,” and “Pour”—are often used to express time, but they each have specific uses and meanings. Understanding the differences between these prepositions is crucial for accurately describing when things happen, how long they last, and for how long something will happen in the future. This comprehensive guide will explore the nuances of “Depuis,” “Pendant,” and “Pour,” provide examples, and offer practical tips for avoiding common mistakes.

1. Depuis: Talking About Ongoing Actions and States

“Depuis” is used to indicate the starting point of an action or state that began in the past and is still continuing in the present. It is often translated as “since” or “for” in English.

Structure and Usage

• Depuis + specific point in time: Use this structure to indicate when something started.
• Example: Je vis à Paris depuis 2015. (I have been living in Paris since 2015.)
• Depuis + duration: Use this structure to indicate how long something has been happening.
• Example: Elle étudie le français depuis deux ans. (She has been studying French for two years.)
• Present tense + depuis: Note that “depuis” is often used with the present tense in French, even though in English it might correspond to the present perfect tense.
• Example: Nous attendons depuis une heure. (We have been waiting for an hour.)

Examples of “Depuis”

1. Talking About Ongoing Activities:

• Je travaille ici depuis janvier. (I have been working here since January.)
• Ils sont mariés depuis dix ans. (They have been married for ten years.)
• Elle apprend le piano depuis son enfance. (She has been learning the piano since her childhood.)

1. Expressing Duration:

• Nous habitons dans cette maison depuis trois mois. (We have been living in this house for three months.)
• Il pleut depuis ce matin. (It has been raining since this morning.)

1. Emphasizing Continuity:

• Depuis combien de temps étudiez-vous le français ? (How long have you been studying French?)
• Je joue au tennis depuis mon enfance. (I have been playing tennis since my childhood.)

2. Pendant: Referring to Completed or Bounded Time Periods

“Pendant” is used to indicate the duration of an action or state that took place in the past, is happening in the present, or will happen in the future. It is often translated as “during” or “for” in English.

Structure and Usage

• Pendant + specific duration: Use this structure to describe how long something lasted or will last.
• Example: Il a dormi pendant huit heures. (He slept for eight hours.)
• Pendant + time period: Use this to specify when something happened.
• Example: Elle a voyagé pendant les vacances. (She traveled during the holidays.)
• Past, present, or future tense + pendant: “Pendant” can be used with different tenses to describe actions in the past, present, or future.
• Example: Je vais rester ici pendant une semaine. (I am going to stay here for a week.)

Examples of “Pendant”

1. Describing Duration in the Past:

• Ils ont vécu en Espagne pendant cinq ans. (They lived in Spain for five years.)
• J’ai étudié pendant toute la nuit. (I studied all night.)

1. Referring to Ongoing or Future Events:

• Nous resterons à Paris pendant deux jours. (We will stay in Paris for two days.)
• Je vais lire pendant le week-end. (I will read during the weekend.)

1. Expressing Time Within a Specific Period:

• Elle a joué du piano pendant le concert. (She played the piano during the concert.)
• Pendant combien de temps avez-vous travaillé ici ? (For how long did you work here?)

3. Pour: Referring to Planned or Intended Durations

“Pour” is primarily used to indicate a duration in the future or a planned duration, and it often corresponds to the English preposition “for.” However, unlike “pendant,” which is used to describe actual durations, “pour” is more about intended or planned timeframes.

Structure and Usage

• Pour + specific duration in the future: Use this to express how long you intend to do something.
• Example: Je pars en vacances pour deux semaines. (I’m going on vacation for two weeks.)
• Pour + verb infinitive: Often used to indicate purpose or intent in the future.
• Example: Je vais à la bibliothèque pour étudier. (I’m going to the library to study.)
• Future tense + pour: “Pour” is often used with future tenses to describe actions or events that will last for a specified duration.
• Example: Ils vont rester chez nous pour le week-end. (They are going to stay with us for the weekend.)

Examples of “Pour”

1. Indicating Planned Future Duration:

• Je vais louer un appartement pour un mois. (I’m going to rent an apartment for a month.)
• Ils sont partis en voyage pour une semaine. (They went on a trip for a week.)

1. Expressing Purpose:

• Nous sommes ici pour apprendre le français. (We are here to learn French.)
• Elle a acheté ce cadeau pour son anniversaire. (She bought this gift for his birthday.)

1. Talking About Future Intentions:

• Je vais préparer le dîner pour ce soir. (I’m going to prepare dinner for tonight.)
• Nous partirons pour les vacances demain. (We will leave for vacation tomorrow.)

Key Differences Between “Depuis,” “Pendant,” and “Pour”

Understanding the differences between “Depuis,” “Pendant,” and “Pour” is essential for using them correctly in conversation.

1. Ongoing vs. Completed Actions:

• Depuis is used for actions that started in the past and are still ongoing.
• Pendant is used for actions that have a specific duration, whether in the past, present, or future, but are seen as complete or bounded.
• Pour is used for future intentions or planned durations.

1. Past, Present, and Future Tenses:

• Depuis is almost always used with the present tense to describe an ongoing situation.
• Pendant can be used with past, present, or future tenses to describe the duration of actions or events.
• Pour is mostly used with future tenses to describe planned durations.

1. Translation into English:

• Depuis often translates to “since” or “for.”
• Pendant translates to “for” or “during.”
• Pour typically translates to “for” when talking about the future or purpose.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Confusing “Depuis” with “Pendant”:

• Incorrect: Je vis ici pendant deux ans. (I have lived here for two years.)
• Correct: Je vis ici depuis deux ans. (I have been living here for two years.)

1. Using “Pour” Instead of “Pendant” for Completed Actions:

• Incorrect: J’ai étudié pour trois heures. (I studied for three hours.)
• Correct: J’ai étudié pendant trois heures. (I studied for three hours.)

1. Misusing “Depuis” for Future Actions:

• Incorrect: Je vais rester ici depuis une semaine. (I will stay here since a week.)
• Correct: Je vais rester ici pour une semaine. (I will stay here for a week.)

1. Overusing “Pendant” for Ongoing Actions:

• Incorrect: Elle attend pendant une heure. (She has been waiting for an hour.)
• Correct: Elle attend depuis une heure. (She has been waiting for an hour.)

Practice Exercises

Here are some exercises to help reinforce your understanding of “Depuis,” “Pendant,” and “Pour”:

1. Fill in the blanks with “depuis,” “pendant,” or “pour”:

• Elle habite ici _ cinq ans.
• Il va rester _ deux semaines.
• Nous avons parlé _ une heure hier.
• Ils sont amis _ leur enfance.
• Je travaille ici _ mars. Answers:
• Elle habite ici depuis cinq ans.
• Il va rester pour deux semaines.
• Nous avons parlé pendant une heure hier.
• Ils sont amis depuis leur enfance.
• Je travaille ici depuis mars.

2. Translate the following sentences into French:

• I have been studying French for three years.
• They will stay in Paris for a month.
• He slept for eight hours.
• She has been waiting since 10 o’clock.
• We are going to the mountains for the weekend. Answers:
• J’étudie le français depuis trois ans.
• Ils vont rester à Paris pour un mois.
• *Il a dormi pendant huit heures.*
• Elle attend depuis dix heures.
• Nous allons à la montagne pour le week-end.

3. Choose the correct preposition:

• Je vais en France _ deux semaines. (pour/pendant)
• Ils sont ensemble _ longtemps. (depuis/pendant)
• Elle travaille ici _ deux ans. (depuis/pour)
• Nous avons voyagé _ les vacances. (pendant/pour)
• Il étudie le français _ trois ans. (depuis/pendant) Answers:
• Je vais en France pour deux semaines.
• Ils sont ensemble depuis longtemps.
• Elle travaille ici depuis deux ans.
• Nous avons voyagé pendant les vacances.
• Il étudie le français depuis trois ans.

Cultural Insights: How “Depuis,” “Pendant,” and “Pour” Are Used in French

1. Understanding French Time Concepts: In French culture, there is a strong emphasis on precision when talking about time. Using “Depuis,” “Pendant,” and “Pour” correctly allows speakers to clearly express the exact time frame or duration of events.
2. Planning and Expectations: French people often plan their activities with a clear sense of time. Using “Pour” to express future intentions or planned durations reflects this cultural tendency toward organization and clarity.
3. Storytelling and Narratives: When telling stories or recounting events, French speakers frequently use “Pendant” to set the scene for past actions and “Depuis” to highlight ongoing situations. Understanding these nuances can help you better comprehend and participate in French conversations.

Conclusion

Mastering the use of “Depuis,” “Pendant,” and “Pour” is essential for accurately discussing time and duration in French Grammar. Each of these prepositions has a specific role in expressing when something happens, how long it lasts, or how long it is intended to last. By understanding their differences and practicing their usage, you can greatly improve your ability to communicate effectively in French Grammar.

Remember, the key to mastering these prepositions is consistent practice and paying attention to context. Use “Depuis” for ongoing actions, “Pendant” for completed or bounded time periods, and “Pour” for future plans or intended durations. With these tools in your language arsenal, you’ll be well-equipped to discuss time and events with confidence. Bonne chance (good luck) on your journey to mastering France!

French Grammar
French Vocabulary