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A2 noun #2,000 mais comum 11 min de leitura

depuis que

Since; from the time that.

At the A1 level, you are just beginning to connect ideas in French. You already know simple words like 'et' (and) or 'mais' (but). 'Depuis que' is a slightly longer connecting phrase that means 'since' or 'from the time that'. It is used to talk about time. Imagine you want to say that something started in the past and is still happening now. In English, you say 'I am happy since I bought a dog.' In French, you say 'Je suis heureux depuis que j'ai un chien.' The most important thing to remember at this beginner stage is that 'depuis que' is always followed by a person or thing doing an action (a subject) and an action word (a verb). You cannot just put a single word after it. For example, you cannot say 'depuis que lundi'. For days or dates, you just use 'depuis' (depuis lundi). You use 'depuis que' when you have a whole mini-sentence after it, like 'depuis que je suis en France' (since I am in France). Practice using it with simple verbs you know, like 'être' (to be), 'avoir' (to have), or 'habiter' (to live). It is a great way to make your sentences longer and sound more like a native speaker, even with basic vocabulary. Remember to drop the 'e' in 'que' if the next word starts with a vowel, making it 'qu''. For example, 'depuis qu'il est là' (since he is here). This small detail makes your French sound much smoother and more natural when you speak.
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At the A2 level, you are becoming more comfortable with past tenses like the passé composé. 'Depuis que' becomes an incredibly useful tool for you to tell stories and explain your current situation based on past events. It means 'since' in a strictly temporal sense. The key grammatical rule to master here is the combination of tenses. Very often, you will use the present tense in the first part of your sentence, and the passé composé right after 'depuis que'. This shows that a past action has created a situation that is still true today. For example: 'J'étudie beaucoup depuis que j'ai commencé ce cours' (I study a lot since I started this course). The starting point is in the past (j'ai commencé), but the result is happening right now (j'étudie). It is crucial not to confuse 'depuis que' with 'parce que' (because). 'Depuis que' is only about time, not about the reason why something happened. Also, remember the difference between 'depuis' and 'depuis que'. Use 'depuis' with nouns (depuis mon arrivée) and 'depuis que' with full clauses containing a subject and a verb (depuis que je suis arrivé). Practicing this distinction will help you avoid one of the most common mistakes made by A2 learners. Try writing a few sentences about how your life has changed since you started learning French to get comfortable with this structure.
As a B1 learner, you are expected to express more complex thoughts and handle various time frames. 'Depuis que' is essential for demonstrating your ability to link the past to the present seamlessly. At this level, you should be entirely comfortable with the tense harmony required by this conjunction. You know that 'depuis que' takes the indicative mood, never the subjunctive, because it deals with concrete, factual timeframes. You should be adept at using the present tense for ongoing states initiated by a past action (e.g., 'Je ne mange plus de sucre depuis que j'ai lu cet article'). Furthermore, you can now start exploring past narratives. When telling a story entirely in the past, you will use the imparfait in the main clause and the plus-que-parfait after 'depuis que' to show the 'past of the past'. For example: 'Il était fatigué depuis qu'il avait couru le marathon' (He was tired since he had run the marathon). This demonstrates a solid grasp of French temporal logic. You should also be aware of the subtle difference between 'depuis que' (temporal since) and 'puisque' (causal since). Using 'puisque' when you mean 'depuis que' will confuse native speakers. Your goal at B1 is to use 'depuis que' spontaneously in conversation without having to pause and translate the grammar rules in your head.
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At the B2 level, fluency and precision are your main goals. 'Depuis que' should be a natural part of your active vocabulary, used effortlessly in both written and spoken French. You are expected to handle complex sentence structures where 'depuis que' might not just be at the end of the sentence, but at the beginning for emphasis. For example: 'Depuis que nous avons adopté cette nouvelle politique, les résultats sont excellents.' Placing the subordinate clause first highlights the triggering event. You should also be comfortable using 'depuis que' with a wider variety of tenses, including the futur simple or conditionnel in the main clause, depending on the context, though present and imparfait remain the most common. At this stage, you must absolutely avoid the anglicism of using the passé composé in the main clause for an action that is still ongoing (e.g., saying 'J'ai travaillé ici depuis que...' instead of the correct 'Je travaille ici depuis que...'). Your understanding of 'depuis que' should extend to recognizing its synonyms and knowing when to use them for stylistic variation. You might use 'dès lors que' or 'à partir du moment où' to add specific nuances of immediacy or causality mixed with time. Mastery at B2 means you use these temporal markers to structure your arguments logically and narrate events with native-like temporal cohesion.
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At the C1 level, your use of 'depuis que' is expected to be flawless and stylistically varied. You understand that while 'depuis que' is a standard temporal conjunction, its placement and the choice of surrounding vocabulary can subtly alter the tone of your discourse. You are capable of using it in highly formal written contexts, such as academic essays or professional reports, as well as in rapid, idiomatic spoken French. You fully grasp the sociolinguistic aspects, knowing that in spoken French, the 'que' is often heavily elided or swallowed, sounding like 'd'puis qu''. You also understand the rare, highly literary nuances where 'depuis que' might border on a causal meaning in classic literature, though you know to strictly separate it from 'puisque' in modern usage. At this level, you can effortlessly navigate complex tense sequences, perhaps involving the passé simple in literary texts (e.g., 'Il fut transformé depuis qu'il la vit'). You are also adept at using negative structures with 'depuis que', understanding the subtle difference between 'depuis que je ne l'ai pas vu' (focusing on the duration of the absence) and 'depuis que je l'ai vu' (focusing on the event of seeing him). Your command of 'depuis que' reflects a deep, internalized understanding of French aspect and temporality.
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At the C2 level, you possess a near-native intuition for the French language, and your use of 'depuis que' reflects this mastery. You manipulate temporal clauses with absolute precision, using 'depuis que' not just for basic communication, but for rhetorical effect, pacing, and narrative structuring. You are intimately familiar with the historical evolution of the phrase and can appreciate its usage in classical French literature, recognizing archaic tense alignments that differ from modern prescriptive grammar. You effortlessly distinguish 'depuis que' from highly nuanced synonyms like 'sitôt que', 'dès l'instant où', or 'du jour où', choosing the exact phrase that fits the rhythm and precise semantic requirement of your sentence. You can play with the syntax, embedding 'depuis que' clauses within other complex subordinate structures without losing the grammatical thread. Your understanding of the aspectual nature of the French present tense (present of extended duration) versus the English present perfect is so deeply ingrained that you never make tense alignment errors. At this pinnacle of language acquisition, 'depuis que' is merely one of the many finely tuned instruments in your linguistic orchestra, used to articulate complex philosophical, historical, or personal narratives with elegance, clarity, and profound grammatical accuracy.
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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

depuis que em 30 segundos

  • Means 'since' or 'from the time that'.
  • Always followed by a subject and a conjugated verb.
  • Never followed by the subjunctive mood.
  • Used to connect a past event to an ongoing present state.
The French locution conjonctive 'depuis que' is a fundamental temporal marker used to indicate that an action or state began in the past and continues into the present, or to establish the starting point of a new situation that resulted from a specific past event. Understanding 'depuis que' requires a deep dive into how the French language conceptualizes time, aspect, and duration. Unlike the English word 'since', which can function as both a preposition and a conjunction, French strictly separates these roles. 'Depuis' is the preposition used before nouns or noun phrases, whereas 'depuis que' is the conjunction used to introduce a subordinate clause containing a conjugated verb. This distinction is paramount for learners aiming to achieve fluency. When you use 'depuis que', you are essentially drawing a line from a specific moment in the past directly to the present moment, highlighting the continuity or the ongoing relevance of the situation.

Je suis beaucoup plus heureux depuis que j'ai déménagé à la campagne.

The psychological perception of time in French heavily relies on these precise markers. By employing 'depuis que', the speaker emphasizes the duration and the transformative nature of the event that triggered the current state.
Temporal Anchor
The exact moment the action started.
Furthermore, the semantics of 'depuis que' inherently carry a subtle causal undertone in certain contexts, though its primary function remains strictly temporal. For instance, saying that things have changed 'since' an event implies that the event might be the cause of the change.

Tout a changé depuis que tu es parti.

Causal Nuance
A secondary implication of cause and effect linked to the passage of time.
In linguistic terms, 'depuis que' acts as a subordinator that embeds a finite clause into the main matrix clause, establishing a complex temporal relationship between the two propositions. The main clause typically describes the ongoing state or repeated action, while the subordinate clause introduced by 'depuis que' pinpoints the genesis of this state.

Elle travaille mieux depuis que son bureau est calme.

This alignment of tenses is a critical aspect of mastering the conjunction. The continuity expressed by 'depuis que' is a hallmark of the French indicative mood, contrasting sharply with conjunctions that trigger the subjunctive.

Nous ne nous sommes pas vus depuis que nous avons terminé nos études.

Negative Continuity
Expressing the absence of an action since a past event.
To fully grasp 'depuis que', one must also appreciate its historical evolution from Old French, where temporal and spatial markers were often intertwined. Today, its usage is standardized, providing a clear, unambiguous method for expressing 'from the time that'.

Il pleut sans arrêt depuis que le soleil s'est couché.

Mastering this phrase unlocks a significant level of expressive capability, allowing learners to narrate personal histories, describe ongoing trends, and articulate complex timelines with native-like precision and grammatical accuracy.
Using 'depuis que' correctly involves mastering specific rules of syntax and tense harmony within complex sentences. The most fundamental rule is that 'depuis que' must always introduce a subordinate clause containing a conjugated verb in the indicative mood. It is never followed by the subjunctive, because it deals with established facts and concrete realities in time, rather than subjectivity, doubt, or emotion.

Je fais du sport tous les jours depuis que le médecin me l'a conseillé.

The choice of tenses in the main clause and the subordinate clause depends entirely on the chronological relationship between the two actions. The most common pattern involves the present tense in the main clause and the passé composé in the subordinate clause. This structure indicates that a past, completed action initiated a state that is still ongoing in the present.
Present + Passé Composé
Main clause in present, subordinate in past to show an ongoing result of a past event.
Another frequent pattern is using the present tense in both clauses. This occurs when the action in the subordinate clause is also ongoing. For example, 'I have been happy since I have been living here.'

Je me sens mieux depuis que j'habite près de la mer.

Present + Present
Both actions are currently ongoing and simultaneous.
When narrating events entirely in the past, the tenses shift backward. The main clause typically takes the imparfait (to describe an ongoing state in the past), while the subordinate clause takes the plus-que-parfait (to indicate the action that had occurred previously to trigger that state).

Il était triste depuis que son chien avait disparu.

It is also crucial to differentiate 'depuis que' from its prepositional counterpart, 'depuis'. While 'depuis' is followed by a noun or a specific date (e.g., depuis 2010, depuis mon enfance), 'depuis que' requires a full clause (e.g., depuis que je suis né).

Elle ne mange plus de viande depuis que nous avons vu ce documentaire.

Clause Requirement
Always ensure a subject and verb follow 'que'.
Furthermore, when the subject of the main clause and the subordinate clause is the same, French speakers still use 'depuis que' with a conjugated verb, unlike English which might use a gerund (e.g., 'since moving'). French does not say 'depuis déménageant'; it strictly uses 'depuis que j'ai déménagé'.

Je dors mal depuis que je bois trop de café.

By internalizing these tense combinations and structural requirements, learners can construct sophisticated and grammatically flawless sentences, effectively communicating complex temporal relationships in both spoken and written French contexts.
The conjunction 'depuis que' is ubiquitous across all registers of the French language, making it an indispensable tool for anyone seeking to understand and participate in francophone environments. You will hear it constantly in everyday, informal conversations among friends and family when people are catching up on life events, sharing news, or explaining changes in their habits.

Quoi de neuf depuis que l'on s'est vus la dernière fois ?

In these casual settings, it serves as a natural bridge to connect past occurrences with current realities.
Casual Catch-ups
Used to ask about or explain changes since a previous meeting.
Beyond casual chatter, 'depuis que' is heavily utilized in professional and formal contexts. In business meetings, reports, and professional correspondence, it is used to track progress, explain the results of implemented policies, or establish timelines for projects.

Les ventes ont augmenté depuis que nous avons lancé la nouvelle campagne.

Business Context
Tracking metrics and project outcomes over time.
Journalists and news anchors frequently employ 'depuis que' to provide background context for current events, linking today's headlines to the historical moments that sparked them. Whether discussing political shifts, economic trends, or social movements, this conjunction is essential for narrative journalism.

La situation économique s'est stabilisée depuis que le gouvernement a voté cette loi.

In literature, both classic and contemporary, authors use 'depuis que' to develop character arcs and establish the chronological setting of their narratives. It allows writers to elegantly transition between different periods in a character's life, showing how past traumas, discoveries, or relationships continue to influence their present actions.

Son cœur était lourd depuis que la lettre fatidique était arrivée.

Literary Narrative
Establishing character backstory and emotional continuity.
Furthermore, you will encounter 'depuis que' in French music, poetry, and cinema. Songwriters use it to express longing, nostalgia, or the profound impact of a romantic encounter. It fits naturally into the rhythm of the language, providing a melodic way to express the passage of time.

Je ne suis plus le même depuis que je t'ai rencontrée.

Because it is not restricted to any specific level of formality, mastering 'depuis que' ensures that a learner can comprehend and produce natural-sounding French in virtually any situation, from a relaxed café conversation in Paris to reading a complex editorial in Le Monde.
Despite its frequency, 'depuis que' is a source of several common errors for French learners, particularly those whose native language is English. The most prevalent mistake is confusing the conjunction 'depuis que' with the preposition 'depuis'. Because English uses 'since' for both functions (e.g., 'since Monday' and 'since I arrived'), learners often incorrectly use 'depuis' before a conjugated verb or 'depuis que' before a noun.

INCORRECT: Je travaille ici depuis que 2015. CORRECT: Je travaille ici depuis 2015.

Preposition vs Conjunction
Never use 'que' if there is no conjugated verb following it.
Another major stumbling block involves tense alignment. English speakers frequently use the present perfect tense with 'since' (e.g., 'I have been working since he left'). In French, if the action is still ongoing, the main clause must be in the present tense, not the passé composé. Using the passé composé in the main clause when the action continues into the present is a classic error.

INCORRECT: J'ai habité ici depuis que je suis né. CORRECT: J'habite ici depuis que je suis né.

Present Tense for Ongoing Actions
French uses the present tense for actions that started in the past and continue today.
A third common mistake is the unwarranted use of the subjunctive mood. Because many conjunctions ending in 'que' (like 'bien que', 'pour que', 'avant que') require the subjunctive, learners often overgeneralize this rule and apply it to 'depuis que'. However, 'depuis que' deals with objective facts and actual events that have occurred in time, meaning it strictly requires the indicative mood.

INCORRECT: Depuis qu'il soit parti. CORRECT: Depuis qu'il est parti.

Additionally, learners sometimes confuse 'depuis que' with 'puisque'. While both translate to 'since' in English, 'puisque' means 'since' in the sense of 'because' or 'given that' (causality), whereas 'depuis que' is strictly temporal ('from the time that'). Using 'depuis que' to express a cause leads to nonsensical sentences in French.

INCORRECT: Je reste à la maison depuis qu'il pleut (meaning because it's raining). CORRECT: Je reste à la maison puisqu'il pleut.

Temporal vs Causal
Use 'depuis que' for time, 'puisque' for cause.
Finally, learners sometimes struggle with the elision of 'que' before a vowel or a silent 'h'. It is mandatory to contract 'que' to 'qu'' in these cases. Failing to do so (e.g., writing 'depuis que il') is a basic but noticeable orthographic and phonetic error.

Il est fatigué depuis qu'il travaille de nuit.

By actively avoiding these specific pitfalls, learners can dramatically improve the accuracy and natural flow of their French sentences.
While 'depuis que' is the standard translation for the temporal 'since', the French language offers several nuanced alternatives and related expressions that learners should understand to enrich their vocabulary and avoid repetition. One closely related expression is 'dès que', which translates to 'as soon as'. While 'depuis que' focuses on the duration of an action following a past event, 'dès que' emphasizes the immediate succession of two events.

Je t'appellerai dès que j'arriverai.

Dès que
Focuses on immediacy rather than ongoing duration.
Another similar phrase is 'à partir du moment où', which means 'from the moment that'. This expression is slightly more formal and emphatic than 'depuis que'. It is often used to pinpoint a decisive turning point or a specific condition that triggered a change in behavior or circumstances.

Tout a déraillé à partir du moment où il a pris la parole.

À partir du moment où
Emphasizes a specific, often critical, turning point.
For causal relationships, as mentioned in the common mistakes section, 'puisque' is the correct alternative. It translates to 'since' in the sense of 'because' or 'seeing as'. It is crucial to distinguish the temporal 'depuis que' from the causal 'puisque' to maintain clarity.

Puisque tu es là, aide-moi à porter ça.

Additionally, 'pendant que' (while) is another temporal conjunction that learners sometimes confuse with 'depuis que'. 'Pendant que' indicates simultaneous actions occurring over a shared period, whereas 'depuis que' marks the beginning of a period.

Il a lu le journal pendant que je préparais le dîner.

Pendant que
Indicates simultaneity, not a starting point.
Lastly, in very formal or literary contexts, one might encounter 'dès lors que', which can mean 'from the moment that' or 'as soon as', carrying a slightly logical or conditional weight alongside its temporal meaning.

Dès lors que le contrat est signé, nous ne pouvons plus reculer.

Understanding these distinctions allows a speaker to choose the exact conjunction needed to convey precise temporal, causal, or conditional nuances, moving beyond basic communication to true fluency.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

""

Neutro

""

Informal

""

Nível de dificuldade

Gramática essencial

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Exemplos por nível

1

Je suis content depuis que tu es là.

I am happy since you are here.

Present tense in both parts.

2

Il mange bien depuis qu'il est en France.

He eats well since he is in France.

Notice the qu' before il.

3

Elle parle français depuis qu'elle habite à Paris.

She speaks French since she lives in Paris.

Habiter is a regular -er verb.

4

Nous sommes amis depuis que nous sommes petits.

We are friends since we are small (young).

Using the adjective petits for young.

5

Je dors bien depuis que j'ai un nouveau lit.

I sleep well since I have a new bed.

J'ai is the verb avoir.

6

Le chien aboie depuis que le chat est là.

The dog barks since the cat is here.

Simple present tense action.

7

Je travaille ici depuis que je suis adulte.

I work here since I am an adult.

Using être to describe a state.

8

Il fait froid depuis que l'hiver commence.

It is cold since winter begins.

Il fait is used for weather.

1

Je me sens mieux depuis que j'ai fait du sport.

I feel better since I did some sports.

Present tense followed by passé composé.

2

Elle a beaucoup changé depuis qu'elle a voyagé.

She has changed a lot since she traveled.

Passé composé in both clauses to show completed change.

3

Nous ne regardons plus la télé depuis que nous avons acheté des livres.

We no longer watch TV since we bought books.

Using ne...plus for negative ongoing action.

4

Depuis qu'il a trouvé un travail, il est très occupé.

Since he found a job, he is very busy.

Depuis que can start the sentence.

5

Je connais ce restaurant depuis que je suis arrivé dans cette ville.

I know this restaurant since I arrived in this city.

Connaître used for knowing places.

6

Ils sont fatigués depuis qu'ils ont fini le projet.

They are tired since they finished the project.

State of being resulting from a past action.

7

Ma voiture fonctionne bien depuis que le mécanicien l'a réparée.

My car works well since the mechanic repaired it.

Direct object pronoun 'l'' before the verb.

8

Je bois du thé depuis que j'ai arrêté le café.

I drink tea since I stopped coffee.

Contrasting a new habit with a stopped past habit.

1

Son niveau de français s'est amélioré depuis qu'elle suit des cours intensifs.

Her French level has improved since she has been taking intensive classes.

Reflexive verb in passé composé.

2

Depuis que nous avons déménagé, nous passons plus de temps dans le jardin.

Since we moved, we spend more time in the garden.

Clause at the beginning for emphasis.

3

Il ne m'a pas parlé depuis que nous nous sommes disputés.

He hasn't spoken to me since we argued.

Negative passé composé with a reflexive reciprocal verb.

4

Je fais beaucoup plus attention à mes dépenses depuis que j'ai perdu mon emploi.

I pay much more attention to my expenses since I lost my job.

Faire attention à is a useful expression.

5

L'atmosphère dans le bureau est plus détendue depuis que le nouveau directeur est arrivé.

The atmosphere in the office is more relaxed since the new director arrived.

Être arrivé uses the auxiliary être.

6

Depuis qu'il pleut, les plantes du balcon ont beaucoup poussé.

Since it has been raining, the balcony plants have grown a lot.

Present tense for weather that is ongoing.

7

Je n'ai plus mal au dos depuis que je fais du yoga régulièrement.

My back no longer hurts since I do yoga regularly.

Avoir mal à structure.

8

Tout semble plus facile depuis que j'ai compris cette règle de grammaire.

Everything seems easier since I understood this grammar rule.

Sembler is followed by an adjective.

1

L'entreprise a connu une croissance exponentielle depuis qu'elle a fusionné avec son concurrent.

The company has experienced exponential growth since it merged with its competitor.

Advanced vocabulary: connaître une croissance.

2

Depuis que les nouvelles mesures de sécurité ont été mises en place, le taux d'accidents a chuté.

Since the new safety measures were implemented, the accident rate has dropped.

Passive voice in the subordinate clause.

3

Il était devenu beaucoup plus méfiant depuis qu'on l'avait trahi.

He had become much more suspicious since he had been betrayed.

Plus-que-parfait used in both clauses for past narrative.

4

Je me consacre entièrement à ma passion depuis que j'ai pris ma retraite anticipée.

I dedicate myself entirely to my passion since I took early retirement.

Se consacrer à requires the preposition à.

5

Depuis que la vérité a éclaté au grand jour, la situation politique est instable.

Since the truth came to light, the political situation is unstable.

Idiomatic expression: éclater au grand jour.

6

Elle n'a cessé de se plaindre depuis que nous sommes montés dans ce train.

She hasn't stopped complaining since we got on this train.

Ne cesser de without 'pas' is formal/literary.

7

Leur relation s'est détériorée depuis qu'ils ont commencé à travailler ensemble.

Their relationship has deteriorated since they started working together.

Commencer à + infinitive.

8

Depuis que j'ai découvert cet auteur, je dévore tous ses romans.

Since I discovered this author, I devour all his novels.

Figurative use of the verb dévorer.

1

L'opinion publique s'est radicalisée depuis que ce scandale a été révélé par la presse.

Public opinion has radicalized since this scandal was revealed by the press.

Passive voice and advanced sociopolitical vocabulary.

2

Depuis qu'il s'est affranchi de ses obligations familiales, il mène une vie de bohème.

Since he freed himself from his family obligations, he leads a bohemian life.

S'affranchir de is a high-register verb.

3

La dynamique de l'équipe a été bouleversée depuis que la direction a remanié les départements.

The team dynamic has been disrupted since management reorganized the departments.

Bouleverser and remanier indicate significant change.

4

Il nourrissait une rancœur tenace depuis que son projet avait été rejeté sans ménagement.

He harbored a stubborn resentment since his project had been unceremoniously rejected.

Imparfait and plus-que-parfait for literary past description.

5

Depuis que l'intelligence artificielle s'est démocratisée, les paradigmes de l'emploi mutent rapidement.

Since artificial intelligence became democratized, employment paradigms are mutating rapidly.

Academic/professional vocabulary.

6

Elle s'est épanouie sur le plan professionnel depuis qu'on lui a confié ces nouvelles responsabilités.

She has blossomed professionally since she was entrusted with these new responsibilities.

S'épanouir is excellent for describing personal growth.

7

Le débat public s'est appauvri depuis que les réseaux sociaux dictent l'agenda médiatique.

Public debate has impoverished since social networks dictate the media agenda.

Critical analysis vocabulary.

8

Depuis qu'il a pris conscience de l'urgence climatique, son mode de vie a radicalement changé.

Since he became aware of the climate emergency, his lifestyle has radically changed.

Prendre conscience de is a sophisticated phrasing.

1

Depuis que l'hégémonie de cette doctrine a été remise en question, un foisonnement intellectuel inédit a vu le jour.

Since the hegemony of this doctrine was questioned, an unprecedented intellectual proliferation has emerged.

Highly academic vocabulary and complex passive structure.

2

Il s'était muré dans un silence ostentatoire depuis que ses pairs l'avaient désavoué.

He had walled himself in an ostentatious silence since his peers had disavowed him.

Literary phrasing with se murer dans.

3

Depuis que la jurisprudence a statué sur ce point épineux, les litiges se sont considérablement raréfiés.

Since the jurisprudence ruled on this thorny issue, disputes have become considerably scarcer.

Legal terminology.

4

L'esthétique de l'auteur s'est épurée depuis qu'il a délaissé les fioritures de ses premières œuvres.

The author's aesthetics have been refined since he abandoned the flourishes of his early works.

Literary critique vocabulary.

5

Depuis que les subventions étatiques ont été drastiquement amputées, le secteur culturel périclite.

Since state subsidies were drastically cut, the cultural sector is collapsing.

Strong verbs like amputer (figurative) and péricliter.

6

Elle cultivait une douce mélancolie depuis que les illusions de sa jeunesse s'étaient dissipées.

She cultivated a sweet melancholy since the illusions of her youth had dissipated.

Poetic and introspective tone.

7

Depuis que le paradigme keynésien a été supplanté, les politiques monétaires naviguent à vue.

Since the Keynesian paradigm was supplanted, monetary policies are navigating blindly.

Economic and metaphorical language.

8

Le tissu social s'est inexorablement délité depuis que l'individualisme forcené a été érigé en vertu.

The social fabric has inexorably disintegrated since fanatical individualism was elevated to a virtue.

Sociological critique with precise adverbs.

Colocações comuns

depuis que je suis né
depuis que nous sommes
depuis qu'il a
depuis que tu es
depuis qu'elle est
depuis que j'habite
depuis que je travaille
tout a changé depuis que
je me sens mieux depuis que
il est différent depuis que

Frases Comuns

Depuis que le monde est monde

Depuis que je te connais

Depuis que j'ai mémoire

Depuis que je suis tout petit

Depuis que c'est arrivé

Depuis que tu m'as quitté

Depuis que j'ai commencé

Depuis que je suis ici

Depuis que je l'ai vu

Depuis que nous sommes ensemble

Frequentemente confundido com

depuis que vs depuis

depuis que vs puisque

depuis que vs pendant que

Expressões idiomáticas

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

Fácil de confundir

depuis que vs

depuis que vs

depuis que vs

depuis que vs

depuis que vs

Padrões de frases

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Como usar

note

While 'depuis que' is strictly temporal, human psychology often links time and cause. If someone says 'Je suis fatigué depuis qu'il est arrivé' (I am tired since he arrived), the primary meaning is temporal (from that moment on), but there is an implied causal link (he is making me tired). However, grammatically, it remains a temporal conjunction.

Erros comuns
  • Using 'depuis que' before a noun instead of 'depuis'.
  • Using the passé composé in the main clause for an action that is still ongoing in the present.
  • Using the subjunctive mood after 'depuis que'.
  • Confusing 'depuis que' (temporal) with 'puisque' (causal).
  • Forgetting to elide 'que' to 'qu'' before a vowel.

Dicas

The Indicative Rule

Never use the subjunctive after 'depuis que'. It always takes the indicative mood because it deals with facts and reality in time. Memorize this to avoid a very common mistake made by advanced learners.

Tense Harmony

If the action is still happening now, use the Present tense in the main clause, not the Passé Composé. 'Je travaille ici depuis qu'il est parti', not 'J'ai travaillé ici...'. This is a major difference from English.

Mandatory Elision

Always drop the 'e' in 'que' and use an apostrophe before vowels and mute 'h'. Write 'depuis qu'il', 'depuis qu'elle', 'depuis qu'on'. This is not optional in French.

Puisque vs Depuis que

If you mean 'because', use 'puisque'. If you mean 'from the time that', use 'depuis que'. Translating the English word 'since' requires you to know which meaning you intend.

Needs a Verb

You cannot say 'depuis que 2020'. You must say 'depuis 2020'. Only use 'depuis que' if there is a subject and a conjugated verb right after it, like 'depuis que l'année 2020 a commencé'.

Fluidity in Speech

In spoken French, don't pause between 'depuis' and 'que'. Say it as one smooth block. If the next word is 'je', it often sounds like 'd'puis qu'je' in casual conversation.

Sentence Variety

To make your writing sound more native, try starting your sentences with the 'Depuis que...' clause occasionally. It adds emphasis to the trigger event and varies your sentence structure.

Avoid 'Since moving'

English uses gerunds like 'since moving' or 'since arriving'. French does not. You must conjugate the verb: 'depuis que j'ai déménagé' (since I moved).

Past Narratives

When telling a story entirely in the past, shift your tenses back. Use the Imparfait in the main clause and the Plus-que-parfait after 'depuis que' to show the 'past of the past'.

Simultaneity vs Starting Point

Don't confuse 'depuis que' with 'pendant que'. 'Pendant que' means 'while' (two things happening at the same time). 'Depuis que' marks the starting point of an ongoing situation.

Memorize

Mnemônico

DEPUIS (Since) + QUE (That) = Since the time that. Imagine a queue (que) of events starting from a specific point in the past (depuis).

Origem da palavra

Old French

Contexto cultural

Classic French literature often uses 'depuis que' with the passé simple (e.g., 'depuis qu'il fut parti') to maintain a highly formal, historical narrative tone.

In informal spoken French, the 'e' in 'que' is often dropped even before consonants, sounding like 'depuis qu'je' (də.pɥi kʒə).

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Iniciadores de conversa

"Qu'est-ce qui a changé dans ta vie depuis que tu as commencé ce travail ?"

"Comment te sens-tu depuis que tu as déménagé ?"

"Est-ce que tu vois souvent tes amis depuis que tu es diplômé ?"

"Qu'est-ce que tu as appris depuis que tu étudies le français ?"

"Ta routine a-t-elle changé depuis que tu as adopté un chien ?"

Temas para diário

Écris sur une habitude que tu as adoptée récemment. Je fais... depuis que...

Raconte comment ta ville a changé depuis que tu y habites.

Décris une relation importante. Nous sommes proches depuis que...

Comment ton niveau de français s'est-il amélioré depuis que tu as commencé à utiliser cette application ?

Parle d'un événement mondial et de ses conséquences. Le monde est différent depuis que...

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

No, you cannot use 'depuis que' directly before a noun. 'Depuis que' is a conjunction and must be followed by a clause containing a subject and a conjugated verb. If you only have a noun or a date, you must use the preposition 'depuis'. For example, say 'depuis lundi', not 'depuis que lundi'. If you want to use 'que', you must add a verb: 'depuis que c'est lundi'.

No, 'depuis que' never takes the subjunctive mood. It is used to state objective facts and realities that have actually happened in time. Therefore, it strictly requires the indicative mood. Conjunctions that express doubt, desire, or unreality take the subjunctive, but 'depuis que' expresses concrete temporal reality. Always use tenses like the present, passé composé, or imparfait after it.

While both can translate to 'since' in English, they have completely different meanings in French. 'Depuis que' is strictly related to time; it means 'from the time that'. 'Puisque' is related to cause; it means 'because' or 'seeing as'. If you can replace 'since' with 'because' in your English sentence, you must use 'puisque' in French, not 'depuis que'.

This is a fundamental difference in how the two languages view time. In English, the present perfect ('I have lived here since...') bridges the past and present. In French, if an action started in the past and is still happening right now, the present tense is used to emphasize that it is a current, ongoing reality ('J'habite ici depuis que...'). Using the passé composé in the main clause would imply the action is finished.

Yes, absolutely. Placing the 'depuis que' clause at the beginning of the sentence is grammatically correct and very common. It is often used to emphasize the event that triggered the current situation. For example: 'Depuis que j'ai acheté cette voiture, je voyage beaucoup plus.' Just remember to separate the subordinate clause from the main clause with a comma.

Yes, elision is mandatory in written and spoken French when the word following 'que' begins with a vowel or a mute 'h'. You must write 'qu'' instead of 'que'. For example, 'depuis qu'il', 'depuis qu'elle', 'depuis qu'on', 'depuis qu'Antoine'. Failing to do so is a noticeable grammatical and spelling error.

The tense after 'depuis que' depends on the context, but the passé composé is the most common. You use the passé composé when a completed past action triggered an ongoing state (e.g., Je suis heureux depuis qu'elle est partie). You use the present tense if the action in the 'depuis que' clause is also still ongoing (e.g., Je mange mieux depuis que j'habite seul). In past narratives, use the plus-que-parfait.

It is completely neutral and used in all registers of the French language. You will hear it in casual conversations between friends, read it in newspapers, and find it in classic literature. The only difference is that in very fast, informal spoken French, the pronunciation might be compressed to 'd'puis qu''. The grammatical rules remain the same regardless of the register.

It is possible but less common, as 'depuis que' usually anchors things in the past. However, you can use the future in the main clause to predict an ongoing state resulting from a past event. For example: 'Il sera toujours heureux depuis qu'il a gagné au loto' (He will always be happy since he won the lottery). But generally, 'dès que' (as soon as) is more common for future sequences.

To ask 'since when', you use 'depuis quand'. You do not use 'que' in the question form. For example: 'Depuis quand habites-tu ici ?' (Since when do you live here?). You would answer this question using either 'depuis' + noun/date, or 'depuis que' + clause. 'Depuis que' is only used for statements, not for forming the question word itself.

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