1.  Are used to describe something that began in the past and is still happening in the present  OR are used to describe something that has already occurred and has ended.  In these expressions, hacer is always used in the third person singular form.

2. For something that is still happening: Hace + time + que + present tense verb OR Present tense verb + hace + time

3. They have been studying Spanish for three years.  Hace tres años que estudian español.  Estudian español hace tres años. She has been running for five years.  Hace cinco años que ella corre.  Ella corre hace cinco años.

4. Add a NO in front of the conjugated verb to make the expression negative: Hace + time + que+ NO + present tense verb OR NO + present tense verb + Hace + time They have not studied Spanish for three years. Hace tres años que no estudian español. OR No estudian español hace tres años.

5. To ask how long something has been taking place: ¿Cuánto + tiempo + hace + que + present tense verb? How long has she been running? ¿Cuánto tiempo hace que ella corre?

6.  Another way to tell how long something has been happening is by using desde hace.  The literal translation of desde is “since.”

7. Present tense verb + desde hace + time

8. I have been studying English for seven years. Yo estudio inglés desde hace siete años. You have been cooking for two months. Cocinas desde hace dos meses.

9. To make the expression negative, put a NO in front of the conjugated verb: NO +present tense verb + desde hace + time You have not slept for two days. No duermes desde hace dos días.

10. To ask how long something has been taking place using desde: ¿Desde + cuándo + present tense verb? How long have you been studying English? ¿Desde cuándo estudias inglés?

11.  To describe something that has started in the past and is still happening:  Use either hace + time + que OR  Present tense verb + hace + time  Present tense verb + desde + hace + time (another way)  Always use the present tense