a gun since

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a gun since" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to indicate a duration of possession or use of a gun, but it lacks context to be usable. Example: "He has owned a gun since he turned 18."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

I've had a gun since I was 10 years old; I used to go hunting with my parents.

The Guardian

I have been carrying a gun since I was 13 and I fire it every time there is an attack.

The Guardian

Although the police believe that Mr. Palmer is armed, he would probably avoid hunting with a gun since the blast could signal his location.

The New York Times

To illustrate the ongoing carnage more than 4,000 Americans have been killed by a gun since Newtown, he pointed out he read excerpts from last weekend's Gun Report.

The New York Times

Mitchel, who was elected in 1913 at the age of 34, said he had carried a gun since succeeding Mayor William F. Gaynor, who was shot by a disgruntled former city employee in 1910.

The New York Times

According to the Associated Press, his lawyer, William Frankfurt, replied that Davis needed a gun, since he is now working as, of all things, a firearms instructor, and that anyway the incidents were "miles and worlds apart".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

They haven't had a gun massacre since.

The New York Times

He did so after easily obtaining a permit at a gun store, since he had no criminal record.

The New York Times

When I said yes, he complained that he should have the right to carry a gun, too, since he was "a law-abiding citizen".

The New York Times

(AP) — The rapper Jadakiss was arrested on a weapon-possession charge after a traffic stop early yesterday, his second arrest on a gun charge since 2004, the authorities said.

The New York Times

(Justice Kagan had never owned or shot a gun, but since joining the court has taken lessons and gone hunting with Justice Antonin Scalia, pronouncing the experience "kind of fun").

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating the duration of gun ownership or possession, use the structure "owned a gun since" or "has had a gun since" followed by a specific time or event. For example, "He has owned a gun since he was 18".

Common error

Avoid using "a gun since" without a verb indicating possession or action. This phrase is grammatically incomplete. Instead, clarify the relationship by using a complete verb phrase like "has had a gun since" or "has been carrying a gun since".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a gun since" typically functions as part of a prepositional phrase indicating a duration or starting point. However, it's frequently used incorrectly without a necessary verb to complete the sentence. Ludwig AI highlights this grammatical ambiguity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a gun since" is grammatically incomplete and often misused. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. To express the intended meaning correctly, it is crucial to include a verb indicating possession, action, or state of being. Phrases like "owned a gun since", "has had a gun since", or "has been carrying a gun since" provide clarity and grammatical accuracy. While the phrase appears across various sources, from News & Media to Science, its frequent misuse necessitates careful attention to sentence construction to avoid ambiguity. Always ensure there's a verb present to properly convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has possessed a gun since

Uses the perfect tense for continued possession.

owned a gun since

Emphasizes ownership of the gun starting from a specific time.

having a gun since

Expresses continued possession using a gerund.

had a gun from

Focuses on the starting point of gun possession, similar to specifying a time.

carrying a gun from

Focuses on carrying the gun since a particular time

acquiring a gun since

Highlights the act of acquiring the gun relative to a point in time.

in possession of a firearm since

A more formal way of expressing having a gun from a particular time.

a firearm since

More formal alternative using "firearm" instead of "gun".

used a gun since

Focuses on action instead of possession.

a gun for

Focuses on the purpose of the gun.

FAQs

How to use the phrase "a gun since" correctly in a sentence?

The phrase "a gun since" is grammatically incomplete. To use it correctly, add a verb that indicates possession or action, such as "He has owned "owned a gun since"" or "She's had "had a gun since"".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "a gun since"?

Alternatives include "owned a gun from", "possessed a firearm since", or "had a gun from". Ensure that your chosen phrase includes a verb to make the sentence grammatically complete.

Is "a gun since" grammatically correct?

No, "a gun since" is not grammatically correct on its own. It requires a verb to express the relationship between the subject and the gun over time. Correct usages include phrases like "He's carried "carried a gun since"" or "She's possessed "possessed a gun since"".

What's the difference between "a gun since" and "owned a gun since"?

"A gun since" is an incomplete phrase and lacks a verb, whereas ""owned a gun since"" includes the verb "owned", making it a complete and grammatically correct phrase. "Owned a gun since" indicates that someone has had ownership of a gun starting from a specific point in time.