Breakdown of Nous utilisons ce détecteur de gaz depuis deux ans.
nous
we / us (object pronoun)
ce
this (before a noun)
de
of / from / any (in negative sentences) / about (concerning)
deux
two
l'an
the year (m)
utiliser
to use
depuis
since/for
le détecteur
the detector
le gaz
the gas
Questions & Answers about Nous utilisons ce détecteur de gaz depuis deux ans.
Why is the present tense (utilisons) used here instead of a past tense, since the English translation says "have been using"?
In French, if an action started in the past and is still happening right now, you use the present tense along with depuis. English uses the present perfect continuous ("have been using"), which often tempts learners to use the passé composé. However, saying Nous avons utilisé... depuis would be grammatically incorrect here.
Why is it détecteur de gaz without an article, instead of détecteur du gaz?
When a noun is used to describe the function, purpose, or material of another noun (like a "gas detector" or "coffee cup"), French links them with a simple de. Adding the definite article (du, which is de + le) would mean "detector of THE gas", pointing to a specific gas rather than describing the general type of detector.
I always mix up depuis, pendant, and pour. Why is depuis the only correct choice for "for two years" in this sentence?
You use depuis because the action is still ongoing today. Pendant is used for a completely finished duration in the past (e.g., Nous avons utilisé ce détecteur pendant deux ans meaning you used it for two years, but aren't using it anymore). Pour is almost exclusively reserved for intended durations, usually in the future.
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