Hace expressions….Dealing with timeHace mucho tiempo en una galaxia muy lejana...

In English, we say...

I studied Spanish six years ago

or

I have known my friend for three years

In English…..

He arrived five minutes ago

or

I have spoken Spanish for ten years

In Spanish

Actions that occurred a specific amount of time ago (time ago)

*I studied Spanish six years ago

*The teacher arrived five minutes ago

In Spanish

For actions that occurred a specific amount of time ago, you have 2 options:

Hace + time + que + preteriteorPreterite + hace + time

For Example….

Hace + time + que + preterite=

I studied Spanish six years ago

Hace seis años que estudié Español.

For Example...

Preterite + hace + time

The teacher arrived five minutes ago

El maestro llegó hace cinco minutos

In Spanish...

Past actions that continue into the present (have verb for time), you have 3 options:

Hace + time + que + present tense

Present tense + hace + time

Present tense + desde hace + time

For example...

Past actions that continue into the present:Hace + time + que + present tense

I have known my friend for three years

Hace tres años que conozco a mi amigo.

For Example...

Present tense + hace + time

I have spoken Spanish for ten years.

Yo hablo Español hace diez años

For example...

Present tense + desde hace + time

They have played golf for four years

Ellos juegan golf desde hace cuatro años.

Mi historia

Hace ocho años que fui gordo

Mi historia

Hace trece años que estuve en Chile.

Mi historia

Hace tres años que me case.

Mi historia

Hace toda mi vida que soy loco.

Mi historia

Hace veinte años que me gusta disparar

Practice

Specific amount of time:

We ate pizza three days ago.

_______________________

Practice

Specific amount of time:

Four months ago I watched “Twilight.”

___________________________

Practice

Past actions that continue into the present:

They have been fat for two years

______________________

Practice

Past actions that continue into the present:

She has played soccer for two years

_____________________________