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Hacer in expressions of time - Spanish Verb

Hacer, which literally means "to do" or "to make," is found in a number of idiomatic expressions. One of this verb's most important uses has to do with expressing time.

Note that the word order is variable for many of these expressions.

Action that occurred a certain amount of time ago
	hace + time + que + preterite or preterite + hace + time
	Hace tres años que empecé a trabajar aquí.	I started working here three years ago.
	¿Cuánto tiempo hace que lo encontraste?	How long ago did you find it?
	La conocí hace dos semanas.	I met her two weeks ago.

Past action continuing into the present (2 constructions)
1.	hace + time + que + present tense or present + hace + time
	Hace tres años que trabajo aquí.	I've worked here for three years.
	¿Cuánto tiempo hace que conoces a ella?	How long have you known her?
	La conozco hace dos semanas.	I've known her for two weeks.
2.	present tense + desde hace + time
	Trabajo aquí desde hace tres años.	I've worked here for three years.
	¿Conoces a elle desde hace cuánto tiempo?	How long have you known her?
	La conozco desde hace dos semanas.	I've known her for two weeks.

Past action interrupted by another action in the past (2 constructions)
1.	hacía + time + que + imperfect or imperfect + hacía + que
	Hacía tres años que trabajaba en México cuando mi padre murió.	I had been working in Mexico for three years when my father died.
	Hacía una semana que él leía el libro cuando lo perdió.	He had been reading the book for a week when he lost it.
	Tenía líos hacía mucho tiempo cuando decidí a mudarme.	I had been having trouble for a long time when I decide to move.
2.	imperfect + desde hacía + time
	Trabajaba en México desde hacía tres años cuando mi padre murió.	I had been working in Mexico for three years when my father died.
	Él leía el libro desde hace una semana cuando lo perdió.	He had been reading the book for a week when he lost it.
	Tenía líos desde hace mucho tiempo cuando decidí a mudarme.	I had been having trouble for a long time when I decide to move.

Note: When you want to say since a certain time/day/year, use desde + time.
	Está en la casa desde las tres.	He's been at home since 3 o'clock.
	Busco mis llaves desde lunes.	I've been looking for my keys since Monday.
	La conozco desde junio.	I've known her since June.
	Trabajo aquí desde 1999.	I've worked here since 1999.

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