Il y a + [durée] = [duration] + ago (French Expressions of Time)

In French, to express [duration] + "ago", you use the expression "il y a".

How to express duration with " il y a" in French

Look at these sentences:

 

J'ai mangé il y a une heure.I ate an hour ago.

Il est venu à Londres il y a cinq ans.He came to London five years ago.

Ils sont arrivés il y a trois jours.They arrived three days ago.



Notice that to say "ago" in French, you use the expression "il y a" followed by the time duration.

You cannot say ''un mois il y a'' (unless you're Yoda!)

Want to make sure your French sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »

Learn more about these related French grammar topics

Examples and resources

J'ai mangé il y a une heure.I ate an hour ago.
Il est venu à Londres il y a cinq ans.He came to London five years ago.
Ils sont arrivés il y a trois jours.They arrived three days ago.
La bataille de Waterloo a eu lieu il y a 200 ans.The battle of Waterloo took place 200 years ago.
I'll be right with you...