Is this usage the same in negative sentences?

JamieB2Kwiziq community member

Is this usage the same in negative sentences?

I want to say "I have not written since December.  Is this the correct way to say that: Je n’écris pas depuis décembre.

This question relates to:French lesson "Using the present tense (Le Présent) - and not the compound past (Le Passé Composé) - in sentences with "depuis" (since/for) in French (French Prepositions of Time)"
Asked 4 years ago
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CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Jamie, 

Yes indeed, your sentence is correct but it depends what you mean by it .

If you say -

Je n'écris pas depuis décembre 

It means that you haven't been writing since December and it is an ongoing situation.

If you say -

Je n'ai pas écrit depuis décembre 

it implies this might change.

 

Like14 years ago
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AlanC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Doesn't that contradict what's said in the lesson below?

Using the compound past (Le Passé Composé) vs the present (Le Présent) in negative sentences with "depuis" (since/for) in French

Like14 years ago
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JamieB2Kwiziq community member

I think you're right Alan.  I hadn't seen that lesson.  My sentence does use "ne...pas", which according to the lesson you cited requires Passé Composé.  

Like04 years ago
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Jamie asked:View original

Is this usage the same in negative sentences?

I want to say "I have not written since December.  Is this the correct way to say that: Je n’écris pas depuis décembre.

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