A2 Spanish grammar

Spanish Time Connectors: Cuando, Desde, Hace, Antes, and Después

Time connectors order actions and express starting points, durations, and endpoints. The form after each connector depends on whether it introduces a noun, an infinitive, or a clause.

Spanish time connectors: Order actions with antes, después, and cuando

Use antes de or después de plus an infinitive for the same subject, and cuando plus a conjugated clause for habitual or factual events.

Me lavo las manos antes de cocinar.

I wash my hands before cooking.The same subject performs both actions.

Quick check

after eating

Express starting points and ongoing duration

Use desde for a starting point and desde hace or hace que for a duration continuing until now.

Vivo aquí desde 2020 / desde hace cuatro años.

I have lived here since 2020 / for four years.Desde gives the point; desde hace gives the duration.

Use hace for ago and hasta for an endpoint

Hace plus a duration locates a completed past event; hasta introduces the endpoint of a period or movement.

Llegué hace una hora y trabajo hasta las seis.

I arrived an hour ago and work until six.Hace locates the arrival; hasta marks the work endpoint.

Common mistakes

Antes de cocino, me lavo.

Antes de cocinar, me lavo.

Use an infinitive after antes de.

Vivo aquí desde cuatro años.

Vivo aquí desde hace cuatro años.

A duration needs desde hace.

Llegué desde una hora.

Llegué hace una hora.

Use hace for how long ago a completed event happened.

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Time connectors FAQ

What does time connectors cover?

Time connectors order actions and express starting points, durations, and endpoints. The form after each connector depends on whether it introduces a noun, an infinitive, or a clause.

What is the first rule to remember?

Use antes de or después de plus an infinitive for the same subject, and cuando plus a conjugated clause for habitual or factual events.

What is another important A2 pattern?

Use desde for a starting point and desde hace or hace que for a duration continuing until now.

How can I practise Spanish time connectors?

Complete the focused round, review each correction, and repeat the lesson when its skills become due again.

Continue learning

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