ILGUR: Italian Language, Grammar and Usage Resource

Since is one of those English words that can get a bit confusing when trying to find its equivalent in Italian because it’s one of those words that is not simply a direct translation.  Recently, a reader asked me to explain the uses of visto che and dato che and decided to combine the readers question into the more expanded topic of since.

In English, since can be a preposition, adverb or a conjunction.  Let’s look at how this all works in Italian:

Since as a preposition:

As a preposition, since is translated with the preposition, da — this is usually with time expressions:

Suono il flauto da 13 anni.

I have been playing the flute for thirteen years.

Faccio il professore dal 2003.

I have been a teacher since 2003.

Notice the use of the present tense + da — you can read more about that here.

Since as a conjunction:

As a conjunction, since is expressed in two ways:

1) from the time when | da quando, dal tempo in cui: This usage is similar to since as a preposition except that this is used as a conjunction  - remember in this construction as a conjunction, it must join two clauses.

Suono il flauto da quando avevo 13 anni.

I have been playing the flute since I was thirteen.

2) because, given that | visto che, dato che, poiché

Non andiamo al cinema visto che sei stanco.

We are not going to the cinema seeing that (since) you are tired.

Dato che non sei abituato al caldo, forse è meglio non uscire questo pomeriggio.

Given that you are not used to the heat, perhaps it is better not go out this afternoon.

Poiché nevicava, ho deciso di stare a casa. Le strade sono pericolose!

Since it was snowing, I decided to stay home. The streets are dangerous.

NB: Visto che and dato che can be used synonymously.

Since as an adverb:

Since can also be used adverbially. In English, since can mean subsequently and usually refers to some previous point in the past. It can also refer to a definite point in the past that relates to the present or can be synonymous with “ago”:

When since means subsequently, use da allora:

Non l’ho vista da allora.

I have not seen her since.

Da allora ci siamo visti ogni estate.

We’ve seen each other every summer since.

Take note of these English expressions using since and their approximate Italian equivalents:

not long since | da poco, da poco tempo
ever since | da allora
long since | da molto, da molto tempo, da un pezzo
many years since | molti anni fa

The present perfect continuous (in English: I have been reading, I have been studying, etc.) does not exist in Italian as a separate tense. Use the present tense + da + time expression when you wish to express “for” a length of time or “since” as an equivalent:

Studio italiano da cinque anni.
I have been studying Italian for 5 years.

Non leggo il giornale da due settimane.
I have not been reading the newspapers for two weeks.

Da sabato preparo per la festa.
I have been preparing for the party since Saturday.

You can also express the present perfect continuous using this construction, essere + length of time + che + present tense:

Sono cinque anni che studio italiano.
I have been studying Italian for five years.

Sono due settimane che non leggo il giornale.
I have not been reading the paper for two weeks.

IMPORTANT: When using present tense + da constructions, they imply that the action is still continuing even today. If the action you are describing began in the past and is no longer happening today, then a different set of rules apply (see below).

If the action began and ended in the past and is no longer happening, then use this construction: verb in the past tense + per + length of time:

Ho mangiato bene per due anni. Adesso è troppo difficile.
I ate well for two years. Now it is too difficult.

Ho studiato inglese per due mesi, ma preferisco studiare tedesco.
I studied English for two months, but I prefer to study German.

Notice the difference between these two constructions:

Gioco al calcio da 10 anni.
I have been playing soccer for 10 years. (and still am)

Ho giocato al calcio per 10 anni.
I played soccer for 10 years. (I played for 10 years but have since stopped)

To ask how long something has been going on (and still is), use this construction, Da quanto tempo + verb in the present tense:

Da quanto tempo vai in palestra?
How long have you been going to the gym?

Vado in palestra da sei mesi.
I have been going to the gym for six months.

Da quanto tempo mangi bene?
How long have you been eating right?

Mangio bene da un anno.
I have been eating right for a year.

To ask how long something had been going on but not longer is, use this construction: Per quanto tempo + past tense

Per quanto tempo sei andato in palestra?
How long did you go to the gym?

Sono andato in palestra per sei mesi.
I went to the gym for six months.

How well do you know your English grammar? One of the keys to success in learning a new language is understanding the grammar concepts of your native language. Why is this? Understanding grammar helps you train your mind for learning another grammar. Seeing the differences can help you understand better how to communicate and give you a basis of understanding. Check out this article from NPR which discusses a recent program funded by the Mexican government for immigrants who head to America by teaching them Spanish language grammar before embarking on learning English. [Which I think kind of proves my point! ]

Did you know that English has some tenses which do not exist in Italian? A prime example of this is the present perfect continuous – which translates in English as “have been + present participle”. This construction is used in English to describe an action which began in the past and is still going on even now. For example:

I have been studying Italian for six months.
I have been reading since 5 o’clock in the evening.

This construction frustrates many Italians who learn English because this concept does not exist as a formal tense. See below:

1. If the action is still going on today, then use this construction: 

   present tense + da + length of time

   Studio italiano da sei mesi.
   I have been studying for six months. [and is still going on...]
   

2. If the action has stopped and is not continuing into the present, as in this example:past tense of a verb + per + length of time [that the action has been stopped]

   I worked at home for six months. [but no longer am]
   Ho lavorato a casa mia per sei mesi.