but since

USAGE SUMMARY

"but since" is a valid phrase in written English.
It is often used to draw a comparison between two things. For example: "I used to stay up late, but since I became a parent, I go to bed early".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But, since then, nothing.

The Economist

But since Yahoo!

The Economist

But since the I.R.S.

The New York Times

But since Cixi?

The New York Times

But since joining the "S.N.L".

The New York Times

But since then, a flattening.

The New York Times

But since then they have flowered.

The Economist

But since then the situation has deteriorated.

The New Yorker

But since then support has been waning.

The Guardian

But since the 1970s, that's changed".

The New York Times - Arts

But since when is money just money?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse of "but since" in close proximity within your writing to maintain clarity and flow; consider varying your sentence structure with alternatives.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "but since" when the "since" clause doesn't directly explain or mitigate the initial contrasting statement. Ensure a clear causal relationship between the clauses.

Linguistic Context

"But since" functions as a conjunctional phrase, connecting two clauses where the second clause provides a reason or explanation that contrasts with the first. Ludwig confirms that it's grammatically sound and widely utilized. Examples show its use in offering a contrasting explanation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"But since" serves as a versatile conjunctional phrase, effectively linking contrasting ideas with explanatory reasoning. Grammatically sound and widely used, as confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is most common in news and media, offering a succinct way to present a contrast and its cause. Remember to ensure a logical connection between the contrasting clause and the explanatory clause to avoid misinterpretations. While acceptable in a variety of contexts, more formal options like "however as" or "although given that" may be preferable in certain situations. The analysis showcases the phrase's role in creating nuanced connections between contrasting viewpoints and their underlying causes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however as

Replaces "but" with "however" to provide a slightly more formal tone, while retaining the sense of contrast and reason.

yet because

Combines the contrasting element of "yet" with the causal aspect of "because", offering a direct substitution.

although given that

Uses "although" to introduce a contrast followed by "given that" to provide a reason.

though considering that

Similar to "although given that", but with a slightly more informal tone.

nevertheless because

A more emphatic way of expressing contrast and reason, using "nevertheless" for stronger contrast.

even so because

This phrase maintains a similar structure, emphasizing the contrast before introducing the reason.

but as a result of

Directly replaces "since" with "as a result of", emphasizing the consequence.

however due to the fact that

A formal and lengthy alternative that stresses the causal relationship.

despite the fact that because

Introduces the contrasting element as something to overcome before stating the reason.

while acknowledging that

Starts with acknowledging a condition but then adding reason.

FAQs

How can I use "but since" in a sentence?

Use "but since" to introduce a contrast followed by an explanation or reason. For example, "I wanted to go to the beach, "but since" it's raining, I'll stay home".

What's the difference between "but since" and "but because"?

"But since" often implies a pre-existing condition or known fact, while "but because" introduces a more direct causal explanation. Consider which best fits the context.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "but since"?

While grammatically acceptable, starting a sentence with "but since" can sometimes sound informal or less polished. Consider rephrasing for a more formal tone.

What can I say instead of "but since" to sound more formal?

For a more formal alternative, you could use "however as", "nevertheless because", or "although given that" depending on the specific context.