What if you don’t want to specify a duration? For example if I want to say “ I’ve been watching UA-cam videos to help me learn Spanish “ Would I just say, “Miro videos de UA-cam para ayudame aprender español.” Or something like that? Thanks!
Desde hace ( pronounced hathe in Spain) was one of the first constructions I learned both here in Spain and in England. I would never have used the perfect. Maybe teaching methods vary between Europe and the US. ??
Hola! I'm from London and have heard quite a few people try to form the sentence in this way I think it's just because some people when they come to it try to translate the sentence word for word into Spanish, especially when they come across it in the middle of a conversation - meaning they might actually have been taught the phrase before, but forget it under pressure!
I have the phrase 'he estado' fixed in my brain. Can I wing it and use the construction that immediately comes to mind: He estado estudiando espanol por seis meses. Its not as you have taught but can I get away with it and be understood rather than relearn at this stage in my life (78!) ?
@@letstalkspanish1 For clarity can I check that it's not actually grammatically wrong to use the "he estado" form, simply that it's not normal Spanish?
Also straightforward is to use llevar in present tense + timeframe + present participle of action verb. Llevo cuatro años estudiando español.
Yep, also another great option! I think the one in this video is easier as you then avoid having to use any present participles 🙌🏾
I have been uncertain about this topic for years! I was saying it wrong, thank you!
You have succeeded in teaching me this phrasing. I used it this morning, thank you Shandon !!
Woo! Well done for incorporationg what you're learning directly into your speech. Is what it's all about!
So well explained!! Gracias!
Thanks Shireen! Happy to help :)
So very well explained.. Thank you..
You're welcome! This can be a confusing one for a lot of students so I'm happy that I can clear it up
Shandon
What if you don’t want to specify a duration? For example if I want to say “ I’ve been watching UA-cam videos to help me learn Spanish “ Would I just say, “Miro videos de UA-cam para ayudame aprender español.” Or something like that? Thanks!
In that case you could say 'He estado viendo videos de UA-cam para ayudarme a aprender español'
Desde hace ( pronounced hathe in Spain) was one of the first constructions I learned both here in Spain and in England. I would never have used the perfect. Maybe teaching methods vary between Europe and the US. ??
Hola! I'm from London and have heard quite a few people try to form the sentence in this way
I think it's just because some people when they come to it try to translate the sentence word for word into Spanish, especially when they come across it in the middle of a conversation - meaning they might actually have been taught the phrase before, but forget it under pressure!
I have the phrase 'he estado' fixed in my brain. Can I wing it and use the construction that immediately comes to mind: He estado estudiando espanol por seis meses. Its not as you have taught but can I get away with it and be understood rather than relearn at this stage in my life (78!) ?
Haha yes you can be forgiven for not doing it this way!
@@letstalkspanish1 For clarity can I check that it's not actually grammatically wrong to use the "he estado" form, simply that it's not normal Spanish?
Thanks
No hay de qué! 🙏🏾
Español muy difícil
A veces, sí! Pero con esfuerzo, se vuelva más fácil!
@@letstalkspanish1 tengo mucho determinación
@@couponqueen5089 ojalá valga la pena!