Use of desde in the negative construction

Stuart M.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Hola,

I've noticed in this construction that desde is used at the end of the sentences, and within the middle of the construction it is not.

Trying to extend my learning with the following example

Llevaba cinco años sin fumar.

Could you say

Llevaba sin fumar desde 2015

Llevaba sin fumar desde hace cinco años

I'm thinking in terms of the construction when there is a specific date in mind (2015), compared to the 'ongoing' desde hace without a specific date.

Gracias,

Asked 4 years ago

InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hola Stuart,

You can say:

Llevaba sin fumar desde 2015

and

Llevaba sin fumar desde hacía cinco años.

The second one needs "hacía", not "hace" to follow the sequence of tenses, so:

1. Llevo sin fumar desde hace cinco años.

2. Llevaba sin fumar desde hacía cinco años.

Saludos,

Inma

Like54 years ago

Hola,

I've noticed in this construction that desde is used at the end of the sentences, and within the middle of the construction it is not.

Trying to extend my learning with the following example

Llevaba cinco años sin fumar.

Could you say

Llevaba sin fumar desde 2015

Llevaba sin fumar desde hace cinco años

I'm thinking in terms of the construction when there is a specific date in mind (2015), compared to the 'ongoing' desde hace without a specific date.

Gracias,

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