Explanation
Let's learn some handy time expressions with hacer!
Hace and Actions that Occurred a Specific Amount of Time Ago
There are two formulas you can use with hacer to talk about actions that occurred a specific amount of time ago.
Formula One
hace + time + que + verb in the preterite
Formula Two
verb in the preterite + hace + time
Examples with Formula One
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Examples with Formula Two
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Hace and Actions that Started in the Past and Continue into the Present
There are two formulas you can use with hacer to talk about actions that started in the past and continue into the present. These expressions are useful for talking about something you have been doing for a certain amount of time.
Formula One
hace + time + que + verb in the present
Formula Two
verb in the present + desde + hace + time
Examples with Formula One
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Examples with Formula Two
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Hace and Actions that Were Interrupted in the Past
There are three formulas you can use with hacer to talk about actions in the past that were interrupted. These expressions are useful for talking about something you had been doing when something else happened.
In expressions of this type, the interrupting action is conjugated in the preterite.
Formula One
hacía + time + que + verb in the imperfect
Formula Two
verb in the imperfect + hacía + time
Formula Three
verb in the imperfect+ desde + hacía + time
Examples with Formula One
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Examples with Formula Two
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Examples with Formula Three
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Looking for more expressions in Spanish? Learn more with these articles!
