Actions/Events That Started in the Past and are Ongoing in the Present [Spanish]

In this grammar lesson, you will learn how to talk about actions/events that started in the past and are ongoing in the present.

In this lesson you will learn about:

• actions/events that started in the past and are ongoing in the present
• how actions/events that started in the past and are ongoing in the present are used in sentences
• how you can quiz yourself on actions/events that started in the past and are ongoing in the present
• how you can practice with flashcards on actions/events that started in the past and are ongoing in the present
• how and why you should use the courses of Language Atlas to learn Spanish

By the end of the lesson, you will know all about how to talk about actions/events that started in the past and are ongoing in the present

Actions/Events That Started in the Past and are Ongoing in the Present

To talk about actions/events that started in the past and are ongoing in the present you will use the following construction:

• hace + [length of time] + que + action in the present tense

Have a look at some examples:

Hace varios días que pienso en ellos.

I have been thinking about them for several days.

Hace ya un año que lo veo muy feliz.

I have seen him very happy for a year now.

Hace un mes que vivo con Antonio.

I’ve been living with Antonio for a month now.

Hace cinco años que trabajo para esta compañía.

I have been working for this company for five years.

Hace varios meses que Juan tiene náuseas todas las mañanas.

Juan has been nauseous every morning for several months.

Please note that this construction needs to be placed at the beginning of a sentence.

Example Sentences on Actions/Events That Started in the Past and are Ongoing in the Present

This section of the lesson on actions/events that started in the past and are ongoing in the present is about seeing the idiom used in sentences.

This is valuable because you can improve your understanding of actions/events that started in the past and are ongoing in the present through examples.

Hace varios días que pienso en ellos.

I have been thinking about them for several days.

Hace ya un año que lo veo muy feliz.

I have seen him very happy for a year now.

Hace un mes que vivo con Antonio.

I’ve been living with Antonio for a month now.

Hace cinco años que trabajo para esta compañía.

I have been working for this company for five years.

Hace varios meses que Juan tiene náuseas todas las mañanas.

Juan has been nauseous every morning for several months.

Quiz Yourself on Actions/Events That Started in the Past and are Ongoing in the Present

At the end of every lesson, you can do a small quiz.

You will see the sentences of the previous chapter.

You will either need to fill in the blanks, choose the correct multiple choice option, or both.

Once you are done the correct answer will be shown.

You can redo the quiz as many times as you want!

How to Practice With Flashcards for This Lesson

Using flashcards is an absolute necessity when it comes to learning a language!

It is the best way to memorize what you learn, you can personalize your progression because it adapts to your actions, and all flashcards have audio to improve your hearing and pronunciation.

Please read our article on how to learn a new language for more information on flashcards and the best way to learn a new language.

There are two ways to practice with Flashcards for this lesson.

1. Anki
2. The Flashcards in our Courses

Anki is a free software with which you can create and practice flashcards.

After you have downloaded Anki for free, you can get our Spanish B1 Anki Deck.

This Anki Deck contains 2,052 flashcards with which you can practice absolutely everything for Spanish B1.

All the flashcards have text, images, explanations, and audio.

You can also use our courses that have flashcards integrated alongside lessons with audio, quizzes and much more!

However, I am sure you are wondering, what are your courses, and why should I take them?

The Courses of Language Atlas

Have you ever wondered what the best way is to learn a new language?

I have been learning languages for over 20+ years and I was always frustrated with books, courses, and classes that I had tried.

It never really seemed to work for me.

I wanted to learn a language in the most effective and efficient way, and there was nothing out there for me.

So I thought, “why not make something myself?“.

Using my experience and by doing research I created Language Atlas, a platform where people can learn French and Spanish in the most effective and efficient way.

I created free lessons and quizzes so that there would always be an easy and accessible way for people to learn or brush up on their language skills.

However, I also created courses that are much more comprehensive and in-depth.

These courses are easy to follow, clear, and allow you to become fluent in the most effective and efficient way.

The courses of Language Atlas have:

• 800+ Lessons with audio
• 800+ Quizzes
• 10,000 Flashcards with explanations, images, and audio
• A gamified way of learning a new language
• A vibrant community (including support from me)

You can register for free and try the French A0/A1 and Spanish A0/A1 Courses for free!

This includes over 60 lessons and quizzes, 500 flashcards that adapt to how you learn, and access to the community (including support from me).

All you have to do is study 30 minutes a day and you will be fluent in no time!

Don’t miss out – register for free and start learning!