When describing past events with depuis, can you substitute Present Indicative for Imperfect?

CrystalMaiden 7.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

When describing past events with depuis, can you substitute Present Indicative for Imperfect?

Asked 6 years ago
AurélieKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Yes, in cases where the enunciation time is in the past, you will indeed use L'Imparfait instead of Le Présent.

However, your sentence here is not quite right: you cannot use "à cette époque de sa vie", and then talk about something that started before (depuis cinq jours).

You would use either say : 

Il était sans domicile depuis cinq jours.
OR
À cette époque de sa vie, il était sans domicile. 

I hope that's helpful!
Bonne journée !

AurélieKwiziq team member

Bonjour CrystalMaiden !

Could you give me a specific case ?

CrystalMaiden 7.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
" Par ce moment en sa vie, il était sans foyer depuis cinq journées. "

When describing past events with depuis, can you substitute Present Indicative for Imperfect?

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