One more use of the present tense

The present tense is used to express actions that began in the past and continue in the present with:
the construction hace + expression of time + que + verb in the present tense.

Hace tres años que esperamos una respuesta. –
We have been waiting for an answer for three years.

This construction has two other variations that carry the same meaning:

◆ Verb in the present tense + hace + expression of time.

Esperamos una respuesta hace tres años. – We have been waiting for an answer for three years.

◆ Verb in the present tense + desde hace + expression of time.

Esperamos una respuesta desde hace tres años. – We have been waiting for an answer for three years.

Note the following questions using each of these constructions. They all have the same
meaning.

¿Cuánto tiempo hace que observas las estrellas?
¿Desde hace cuánto tiempo observas las estrellas? – How long have you been watching the stars?

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