To talk about an action or event that started in the past but is still ongoing in the present, for example, that you have done something for + [duration], you use:
Hace + [length of time] + que + action in El Presente
Have a look and listen to these examples:
Be careful, because this structure needs to be placed at the beginning of the sentence as shown in the examples above.
Trabajo en este supermercado hace 3 años que.
Hace 3 años que trabajo en este supermercado.
I have worked in this supermarket for 3 years.
You can never use El Pretérito Perfecto with hace...que:
Hace dos años que no fumo (que no he fumado)
To learn other ways to express how long one has done something see also Using desde (hace) with El Presente instead of El Pretérito Perfecto to express since/forHace dos años que no fumo (que no he fumado)
Want to make sure your Spanish sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Braimap today »
