Using llevar for time elapsed

Question

I understand that the verb 'llevar' can be used when describing how long one has been doing something including, in a shortened form, how long one has been somewhere.

Llevo 2 semanas aquí = I have been here 2 weeks.

I note that, in this case, the verb is conjugated in the present tense. Is this expression only possible in this tense? or could it be changed? for example to;

Habré llevado 2 semanas aquí = I will have been here 2 weeks

Habría llevado 2 semanas si... = I would have been here 2 weeks if...

A good question for a native Spanish speaker or our esteemed grammarian (in my opinion) bosquederoble. - Jubilado, Feb 29, 2016

I cannot answer, I have only used it in the present and imperfect in this sense. It seems logical to extend it, but I don't know for sure if it is done that way. Sorry. :) - bosquederoble, Feb 29, 2016

Thank you Erik, another good question from you , how have you been ? - ray76, Mar 1, 2016

excellent thanks Ray76. Just heard you are Australiano. - ErikainAndalusia, Mar 1, 2016

Answer 1

Yes, it can be used in any tense grammatically, although the most commonly used besides present is probably imperfect, ie: Llevaba 2 semanas trabajando aquí cuando sucedió el accidente.

:) - ray76, Mar 1, 2016

Right. I've used this expression in the imperfect, but never heard or used it in the future or conditional. - Daniela2041, Mar 1, 2016

Thanks Julian ' sorry for late reply have been tied up all day today. - ErikainAndalusia, Mar 1, 2016

Answer 2

Grammatically they are correct, but I don't think that I have ever heard this kind of usage. It's in none of my textbooks either.

:) - ray76, Mar 1, 2016

Answer 3

Hi all, so to follow up on this I asked one of my Spanish teachers. He said that the verb llevar can be used in the future and conditional to indicate time elapsed but that the constructions I proposed would not be correct. He explained that this is because the sense of "haber" is already contained in the meaning of "llevar" when used this way.

That makes perfect sense to me since

• Llevaba 2 semanas trabajando aquí cuando sucedió el accidente. (per JulianChivi)
• Llevo 2 semanas aquí

both need " to have" to be used in the English translation.

I had been working here two weeks ... I have been here two weeks....

Therefore;

"I will have been here 2 weeks" should be "Llevaré 2 semanas aquí"

"I would have been here 2 weeks if..." should be "Llevaría 2 semanas si..".

Answer 4

Yes, but you dont really hear it.