Passé composé vs present with depuis que

Janet B.C1Kwiziq community member

Passé composé vs present with depuis que

Please clarify why in this lesson  the passé composé is used in "Depuis que je t'ai rencontré, ma vie a complètement changé"  but present tense is used in "Depuis que j'ai quatre ans, je porte des lunettes."   Thanks.

Asked 4 years ago
Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

I think the first sentence means the 'change' was an event -so to speak - and has finished (even if the consequences of the change persist) - that is, 'change' is not present and continuing; the second reflects that the wearing of glasses continued and is continuing

Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

The tricky bit to explain, however, is the "j'ai quatre ans"

Someone has made an attempt here: https://french.stackexchange.com/questions/31604/why-present-tense-in-depuis-que-je-suis-petite

Passé composé vs present with depuis que

Please clarify why in this lesson  the passé composé is used in "Depuis que je t'ai rencontré, ma vie a complètement changé"  but present tense is used in "Depuis que j'ai quatre ans, je porte des lunettes."   Thanks.

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