Two sentence patterns: "hace + (time) + que" and "desde hace + (time)"

Question

I just learned two sentence patterns, and I was told to use "hace + (time) + que" at the beginning of the sentence but to use "desde hace + (time)" later in the sentence. However, I read a sentence "Desde hace dos semanas que estoy en la Costa Azul." I would like to know if this sentence is correct or wrong? And how do you translate it into English?

Intersting joygogo. I'm following and thank you. - 0095ca4c, Aug 4, 2013

Answer 1

I would drop the desde in that sentence. Hace dos semanas que estoy en la Costa Azul.

You need the Desde. Without it the sentence reads "Two weeks ago..." instead of "For two weeks..."

Hola, gringojrf! Your answer confuses me! Do you mean that "Hace dos semanas que" is "two weeks ago", not "It has been two weeks (since...)"? And "Desde hace + (time) + que" can be put at the beginning of the sentence? - - joygogo, Aug 5, 2013

Answer 2

I would drop the desde in that sentence. Hace dos semanas que estoy en la Costa Azul. Translation: I have been in Costa Azul for 2 weeks. "Desde hace" does sound better later in the sentence. Estoy en Costa Azul desde hace dos semanas. Other opinions?

Thanks! - joygogo, Aug 4, 2013