Since

USAGE SUMMARY

The word ‘since’ is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to indicate a point in time, to show cause and effect, or to refer to something that happened in the past and continues in some way up to the present. Example: I have been living here since I graduated from college.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The sector's membership and lobbying body, the Federation of Black Housing Organisations (FBHO) was disbanded in 2008 and has since been replaced by a slimmed-down BMENational, sheltering under the wing of the NHF.

The Guardian

Clarkson has since said in his column in the Sunday Times that he had suffered a cancer scare two days before the incident.

The Guardian

He has since been identified as a 22-year-old called Daniele - investigators have not released his surname - who, until recently, worked in a nearby factory.

The Guardian

Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "We are investing in the biggest rail modernisation since the Victorian era and fares have a crucial role to play in funding these improvements.

The Guardian

But things have changed since then.

The New York Times

Because Republicans are trying, for the third time since he took office, to use economic blackmail to achieve a goal they lack the votes to achieve through the normal legislative process.

The New York Times

The company has grown spectacularly since their father, Fred, died, in 1967, and the brothers took charge.

The Economist

Nursultan Nazarbayev has led Kazakhstan as president, since independence in 1991, extending his tenure through a series of constitutional revisions and elections in which he has faced only token opposition.

The Guardian

Since last July the state has opted to use just one massive dose of the sedative pentobarbital as its lethal injection, instead of a cocktail of three different drugs.

The Guardian

The Sudan People's Liberation Army SPLAA) was surrounding our camp for protection since Sudan was mediating the peace talks.

The Guardian

Since launching its US and Australia digital editions in 2011 and 2013 respectively, traffic from outside of the UK now represents over two-thirds of the Guardian's total digital audience.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place a comma before "Since" only when it is used as a conjunction introducing a non-essential clause, or when it starts a sentence to separate it from the main clause.

Common error

Avoid using "Since" to describe a duration of time; use "for" instead. For example, say 'I have worked here for five years' rather than 'since five years'. Use "Since" only for a specific point in time, such as 'since 2018'.

Linguistic Context

The word "Since" serves three primary functions: as a conjunction, a preposition and an adverb. According to Ludwig AI, it is most frequently used to establish a temporal link between a past event and the present or to introduce a causal explanation. In temporal use, it typically triggers the use of perfect tenses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Social Media

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "Since" is one of the most flexible and essential words in the English language. As documented by Ludwig, it functions seamlessly as both a temporal marker and a causal connector. The analysis shows that it is exceptionally common in high-quality journalism, particularly when discussing ongoing events or historical shifts. Writers should be careful to distinguish its use from "for" when discussing time and recognize that it often carries a slightly more formal tone than "because" in causal sentences. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a grammatically robust and highly reliable choice for professional writing across all major categories.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Because

Provides a more direct causal link without the temporal connotation.

Ever since

Adds emphasis to the continuous nature of an action from a specific point in time.

As

A more formal causal connector often used when the reason is already known to the reader.

Inasmuch as

A very formal alternative used to introduce a statement that explains or limits a preceding one.

Seeing as

More informal and conversational way to introduce a reason or justification.

From the time that

An explicit temporal phrase that avoids the causal ambiguity of the query.

Given that

Focuses on a premise or fact that leads to a specific conclusion.

In light of the fact that

A wordier, more professional alternative for causal justification.

Starting from

Focuses purely on the inception point of a timeline.

For the reason that

A structural substitute that explicitly highlights causality.

FAQs

How to use Since in a sentence?

You can use "Since" as a preposition (since Monday), an adverb (I haven't seen him since) or a conjunction (since you are here). In all cases, it relates to a point in time or a reason.

What's the difference between Since and Because?

While both can show cause, "Since" often implies that the reason is already known to the listener, whereas "because" puts more emphasis on the reason itself.

Can I start a sentence with Since?

Yes, starting a sentence with "Since" is perfectly correct in both causal and temporal contexts, provided it is followed by a comma after the introductory clause.

Is it correct to say Since five years?

No, that is a common error. Use "for five years" to describe the length of time and "Since" for the starting point, like "since 2021".