How to Use "DEPUIS", "PENDANT", and "POUR" in French: A Complete Guide

Mastering French prepositions is crucial for anyone aiming to speak the language fluently. Among the most important and sometimes confusing prepositions are "DEPUIS," "PENDANT," and "POUR." These words are commonly used to express time and duration, but they’re often mixed up by learners. In this guide, we’ll break down the differences and usage of each preposition, with plenty of examples to help you understand when and how to use them correctly.

1. Understanding "DEPUIS"

What Does "DEPUIS" Mean? 

"DEPUIS" can be translated into English as "since" or "for," depending on the context. It's used to describe an action or state that began in the past and is still ongoing.

Using "DEPUIS" with the Present Tense 

In French, when you want to talk about something that started in the past and continues in the present, you use "DEPUIS" with the present tense. This is different from English, where the present perfect tense is often used.

Examples:

• Je travaille ici depuis 2015. (I have been working here since 2015.)
• Elle habite à Paris depuis deux ans. (She has been living in Paris for two years.)
• Nous sommes amis depuis l’enfance. (We have been friends since childhood.)

In each of these examples, "DEPUIS" indicates that the action started in the past and continues in the present.

"DEPUIS" with Other Tenses

While "DEPUIS" is most commonly used with the present tense, it can also be used with the imperfect tense (imparfait) to describe an action that was ongoing in the past.

Examples:

• Il pleuvait depuis trois heures quand je suis parti. (It had been raining for three hours when I left.)
• Ils se connaissaient depuis longtemps. (They had known each other for a long time.) 

In these cases, "DEPUIS" emphasizes the duration of the action in the past.

2. Understanding "PENDANT"

What Does "PENDANT" Mean?

"PENDANT" translates to "during" or "for" in English. It's used to describe the duration of an action that has been completed or is clearly bounded in time.

Using "PENDANT" with the Past Tense

"PENDANT" is typically used with the past tense (often the passé composé) to talk about actions that took place over a specific period of time and are now finished.

Examples:

• J’ai vécu à Londres pendant trois ans. (I lived in London for three years.)
• Elle a étudié pendant toute la nuit. (She studied all night long.)
• Ils ont voyagé pendant deux semaines. (They traveled for two weeks.)

Here, "PENDANT" specifies the duration of the action, indicating that it is now complete.

Using "PENDANT" with the Present or Future Tense

"PENDANT" can also be used with the present or future tense to describe an action that occurs over a specific period but doesn’t imply that the action continues indefinitely.

Examples:

• Je lis pendant une heure chaque soir. (I read for an hour every evening.)
• Nous partirons en vacances pendant deux semaines. (We will go on vacation for two weeks.)

In these examples, "PENDANT" describes a defined period during which the action takes place.

3. Understanding "POUR"

What Does "POUR" Mean?

"POUR" generally translates to "for" in English and is used to indicate the duration of an event or an intended duration, often in the future.

Using "POUR" to Express Future Intentions

"POUR" is commonly used when talking about how long something will last in the future, particularly when expressing plans or intentions.

Examples:

• Je pars en France pour trois mois. (I’m going to France for three months.)
• Elle a réservé un hôtel pour une semaine. (She booked a hotel for a week.)
• Nous nous retrouverons pour une heure. (We will meet up for an hour.)

In these examples, "POUR" indicates the intended duration of the action.

"POUR" vs. "PENDANT" in the Future

While "POUR" and "PENDANT" can both be used to talk about future events, they have different nuances. "POUR" emphasizes the planned or expected duration, while "PENDANT" often refers to the actual duration of the action once it has occurred.

Examples:

• Je vais travailler en Espagne pendant un an. (I’m going to work in Spain for a year.) — The focus is on the actual time you will spend working.
• Je pars pour un an. (I’m leaving for a year.) — The focus is on the intended duration of your departure.

Each preposition has its unique role in conveying time and duration, and understanding their differences will help you communicate more accurately and confidently in French.

By practicing their use in context and being mindful of common pitfalls, you’ll find yourself using these prepositions with ease in no time. Remember, language learning is a journey, and every step you take brings you closer to fluency.