"Hace ..." to mean "ago"

Notes:

  1. The written lesson is below.
  2. Links to quizzes, tests, etc. are to the left.

In a previous lesson, you learned to use the verb hacer with the present tense form of a verb to indicate the length of time an action has been taking place:

Hace + time + que + present tense form of the verb

Hace un año que estudio español.
I have been studying Spanish for one year.

When the verb is in the preterite tense, a different meaning is conveyed:

Hace + time + que + preterite tense form of the verb

Hace un año que estudié español.
I studied Spanish one year ago.

There is another way to convey the same idea:

Preterite tense form of the verb + hace + time

Estudié español hace un año.
I studied Spanish one year ago.

Note the differences and similarities:

Hace un año que estudio español.
I have been studying Spanish for one year.

Hace un año que estudié español.
I studied Spanish one year ago.

Estudié español hace un año.
I studied Spanish one year ago.