Using desde (hace) with El Presente instead of El Pretérito Perfecto to express since/for

Question 1

To express that you have done something for + [duration] - i.e. to talk about an action or event that started in the past but is still ongoing in the present - in Spanish you use El Presente with desde hace + [duration] as such:

Answer 1

Desde hace + [duration] + action in El Presente
or
- Action in El Presente + desde hace + [duration]

Question 2

I have not smoked for a year.

Answer 2

No fumo desde hace un año.

Question 3

María has been very happy for 2 months.

Answer 3

Desde hace dos meses María está muy contenta.

Question 4

I have not seen Ana for three weeks.

Answer 4

No veo a Ana desde hace tres semanas.

Question 5

I haven’t slept for 24 hours.

Answer 5

Desde hace 24 horas no duermo.

Question 6

when referring to a specific date

Answer 6

Desde+ [Specific date] = Since + [Specific date]

Question 7

He has been selling cars since 1987.

Answer 7

Vende coches desde 1987.

Question 8

I have lived in Madrid since September.

Answer 8

Vivo en Madrid desde septiembre.

Question 9

He has not eaten since eight o’clock.

Answer 9

Desde las ocho no come.

Question 10

I’ve been going to the gym since Monday.

Answer 10

Desde el lunes voy al gimnasio.