Jane in NC Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 My son and I are not connecting the dots on the use of the words pendant, depuis, and pour with respect to the passage of time. In English, we use the all purpose "for" in different circumstances. I think I understand how pour is used as a projection in time, an intention. But pendant and depuis have me scratching my head. Pardon my lack of accents which I don't know how to include from this laptop keyboard. Consider: Ils ont parle ______________ tout le voyage. My initial reaction is to fill depuis in the blank since the verb is passe compose. But the correct form of "for" here is pendant, equivalent to the English "during", right? Depuis/pendant are not surfacing quickly in my mind. It seems that I have to analyze each use. Any help?? Also, I thought it was perhaps a peculiarity of Americans to measure distance in terms of time. An example would be that I live an hour from my nephew or the recreation center is five minutes away. Imagine my surprise when I encounter this same time as distance concept in French! De la gare, a pied, il faut 10 minutes. Perhaps other cultures use time as a distance measure as well?? Thank you in advance for your help. Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C_l_e_0..Q_c Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 depuis/pendant the main difference is the *duration*. "Depuis le voyage" would mean starting at the trip (whether it's the beginning or the end is irrelevant) and continuing after the trip is done. Basically the English equivalent is "since". "Depuis le voyage, il est resté silencieux" -> Since the trip he's stayed silent. "Pendant le voyage", means from the start of the trip to the end of the trip. So, yes "during" is the English equivalent. let me try a timeline.. | trip |<------depuis ---> ====================================== |pendant| Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane in NC Posted February 1, 2009 Author Share Posted February 1, 2009 Merci, Cleo. This is one of those things that makes sense when I read it, but I struggle to implement the concept. I'll report back after I have a chance to look at the exercises in my workbook again. Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nan in Mass Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 How about pour? I always have trouble figuring out when to use pour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane in NC Posted February 1, 2009 Author Share Posted February 1, 2009 How about pour? I always have trouble figuring out when to use pour. I understand pour to be a projection into the future, an intention. I like Cleo's timeline so maybe she'll add pour to it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C_l_e_0..Q_c Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Ok let me try the timeline, if it makes sense... <---- pour ---->| trip |<------depuis ---> ====================================== |pendant| I'll be bringing a book for the trip. J'emporterai un livre pour le voyage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane in NC Posted February 2, 2009 Author Share Posted February 2, 2009 Ok let me try the timeline, if it makes sense... <---- pour ---->| trip |<------depuis ---> ====================================== |pendant| I'll be bringing a book for the trip. J'emporterai un livre pour le voyage. I see the intention here. If I want to say "I brought a book for the trip", I am thinking that I need to use pendant. Essentially there is a change from intention to action. Are my wires crossed? Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C_l_e_0..Q_c Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 sorry, the timeline got screwed up. Let me try again <---- pour ---->| trip |<------depuis ---> ====================================== ...............|pendant| The dots are only there to force proper alignment. "I brought a book for the trip" is a bit tricky. When you decided to bring the book, it was before the trip. So there was intent. "J'ai amené un livre pour le voyage". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane in NC Posted February 2, 2009 Author Share Posted February 2, 2009 sorry, the timeline got screwed up.Let me try again <---- pour ---->| trip |<------depuis ---> ====================================== ...............|pendant| The dots are only there to force proper alignment. "I brought a book for the trip" is a bit tricky. When you decided to bring the book, it was before the trip. So there was intent. "J'ai amené un livre pour le voyage". Aha! Implied intent! Language is so tricky. Thank you again. Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane in NC Posted February 4, 2009 Author Share Posted February 4, 2009 Cleo, you are a wonder! Your explanation was crystal clear. I printed your messages, walked through the explanations of depuis/pour/pendant with my son, then he completed exercises using these words without a problem. The diagram has gone into our workbook for future reference if needed. Thank you! Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C_l_e_0..Q_c Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I'll be hitting you with English questions soon enough! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane in NC Posted February 4, 2009 Author Share Posted February 4, 2009 I'll be hitting you with English questions soon enough! :lol: Anytime...just don't ask me to explain American popular culture because I am totally out of it! Isn't it time for you snow birds to head south to thaw?? Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nan in Mass Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Thank you, Cleo. Hit away! Or send papers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C_l_e_0..Q_c Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Isn't it time for you snow birds to head south to thaw?? Naw, not anymore. We sold 3 years ago. Now I have to freeze like my ancestors did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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