In order to state the length of time you have been performing an action such as "I have been playing the piano for 5 years" one uses the verb HACER, which means to do or to make. However, when it comes to length of an action, hacer suggests marking of time. The formula to use is: Hace + length of time+ que + present tense verb. For example, Hace + 5 anos + que + toco el piano literally means "It marks 5 years that I play the piano", in other words, I have been playing the piano for five years (and I still do). The use of the present tense is very important in that it lets the listener know that the action that has been performed up to now is still continuing. Notice the examples and how they translate to English: Hace una semana que Felipe está enfermo. = Felipe has been ill for 1 week. Hace tres meses que estudio el espanol.= I have been studying Spanish for 3 months. In the exercise that follows, use the prompts write a sentence expressing how long the action has been taking place.