How to Use Quand, Lorsque, Lors de, and Pendant

Time doesnt have to be a point on a clock or any other exact measure. It can be a moment or a duration, simultaneous actions or repeated actions, and every discrete difference in between. Thats what the following analysis of these time-related expressions is all about. Were going to look at  the differences between the conjunctions quand and lorsque, the similar-looking expressions lorsque  (conjunction) and lors de  (a preposition), and the temporal prepositions lors de and pendant. This may sound like a mouthful, but its actually pretty straightforward once you know the story behind these words to see how theyre utilized. Here are explanations and examples to help you use all of these correctly in French sentences. Quand versus  Lorsque The conjunctions quand and lorsque both mean when. They are interchangeable when they indicate a simple correlation in time, although lorsque is a bit more formal. However, quand and lorsque each have unique, non-interchangeable meanings as well. Quand (When) 1.  Temporal correlation (interchangeable with lorsque) Je marchais quand tu mas tà ©là ©phonà ©.   I was walking when you called me.Quand je tai vu, javais peur.   When I saw you, I was afraid.Je te verrai demain quand jarriverai.* I will see you tomorrow when I arrive. 2.  Repetition correlation (meaning chaque fois que) Quand il est là  , elle ne parle pas.   When(ever) he is there, she doesnt speak.Quand il sera là  , elle ne parlera pas.*   When(ever) he is there, she wont speak. 3.  Quand as  interrogative adverb Quand vas-tu arriver?   When are you going to arrive?Je ne sais pas quand il reviendra.   I dont know when he will return. Lorsque (When) When the action that follows  lorsque  or  quand  has not yet occurred, the subsequent  French verb must be in the  future  tense, whereas in English the present tense is used. 1.  Temporal correlation (interchangeable with quand) Je marchais lorsque tu mas tà ©là ©phonà ©.   I was walking when you called me.Lorsque je tai vu, javais peur.   When I saw you, I was afraid.Je te verrai demain lorsque jarriverai.   I will see you tomorrow when I arrive. 2.  Simultaneous opposition (meaning alors que or tandis que) Jai crià © lorsquil a fallu courir.   I screamed when / whereas I should have run.Je crierai lorsquil faudra courir.   Ill scream, when / whereas I should run. Lorsque versus Lors de (During, At the Time of) Lorsque and lors de may look similar, but thats all they have in common. Lorsque  is a conjunction. Meanwhile,  lors de is a preposition  used to provide the background for another action; it means at the time of or during. Lors de son anniversaire, elle à ©tait contente.   At the time of her birthday, she was happy.Je suis arrivà © lors du mariage.   I arrived during the wedding. Lors de versus Pendant (During) Be careful not to confuse the prepositions  lors de and pendant. They can both be translated by during, but lors de refers to a single moment in time, while pendant indicates a duration of time. Il à ©tait content lors de son sà ©jour.   He was happy (at some point) during his stay.Il à ©tait content pendant son sà ©jour.   He was happy during his (entire) stay.Il à ©tait content lors de son anniversaire.   He was happy (for a moment) on his birthday.Il à ©tait content pendant son anniversaire. He was happy during his (entire) birthday.Il a travaillà © lors des trois dernià ¨res annà ©es.   He worked (at some point) during the last three years.Il a travaillà © pendant les trois dernià ¨res annà ©es. He has worked (throughout) the last three years.