a word since

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a word since" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear when or how this phrase could be used due to its lack of grammatical structure and context. Example: "I haven't heard a word since the meeting last week."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Not a word since.

The New Yorker

Cuomo has barely said a word since the campaign began.

The New York Times

We haven't changed a note or a word since 2000.

The Guardian

But I hadn't said a word since boarding.

The New York Times

We hadn't said a word since we left Kjenna.

The New Yorker

He had not said a word since being dug out of the rubble three hours earlier.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

"Mistake" in this case is an inadequate word, since of course an attack on a Muslim American wouldn't be right; and yet it's a telling indication of the willful, ugly, blindness of hate.

The New Yorker

Liberation might be a better word, since his recent activities seem to belong to a restless person newly freed from the constraints of his profession, rather than a used-up man at rest.

The New York Times - Books

As Garner himself puts it in his Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage, choate is "a misbegotten word," since the in- of inchoate is not in fact a negative prefix.

The New York Times

He has not spoken a single word since he was 5 years old.

The New York Times

"The G train still is much maligned, which is a good word since the 'G' is silent".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "a word since" in formal writing. Opt for clearer alternatives like "no word since" or "haven't heard since" for better clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Don't assume that "a word since" is interchangeable with phrases like "no word since". The absence of "no" changes the meaning and results in grammatical errors. Always ensure the correct preposition or article usage to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a word since" functions incorrectly as a prepositional phrase aiming to denote a period after which no communication has occurred. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is not correct and lacks clear meaning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a word since" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. It is more appropriate to use alternatives like ""no word since"" or "haven't heard since" for clearer and more accurate communication. While "a word since" appears in some news and media contexts, its infrequent and incorrect usage makes it advisable to avoid this phrase in both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no word since

Focuses on the absence of any communication following a specific event.

haven't heard since

Emphasizes the lack of received information from a particular time.

not a peep since

Uses a more informal idiom to indicate no communication.

no communication since

Directly states the absence of any communicative exchange.

no contact since

Highlights the lack of connection or interaction.

nothing said since

Focuses on the absence of spoken information from a specific point.

silence since

Conveys a complete lack of any sound or communication.

unspoken since

Indicates that something has remained unsaid after a certain time.

no message since

Specifically refers to the absence of any written or verbal message.

all quiet since

Uses a more descriptive phrase to indicate a lack of activity or communication.

FAQs

How can I properly use the idea of "a word since" in a sentence?

Instead of using "a word since", use grammatically correct alternatives such as "There's been "no word since"" or "I haven't heard "anything since"" for clarity.

What is a better way to phrase "a word since"?

Better alternatives include "no news since", "no communication since", or "no contact since", which are grammatically correct and commonly used.

Is "a word since" grammatically correct?

No, "a word since" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The proper phrasing would typically include a negative, such as ""no word since"" or rephrasing the sentence entirely.

What's the difference between "a word since" and "no word since"?

"A word since" is not a standard or grammatically correct phrase. "No word since" indicates that there has been no communication or information received from a particular time onward.