but since then

USAGE SUMMARY

'but since then' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to signify a contrast between a past event and the current situation. For example, "I was struggling with the concept before, but since then I've been able to understand it much better."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But, since then, nothing.

The Economist

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 not much has happened.

The New York Times - Magazine

But since then, progress has been impressive.

The Economist

But since then, he has been idle.

The New York Times

But since then it has fallen.

The Economist

But since then support has been waning.

The Guardian

But since then growth has been disappointing.

The Economist

But since then, relations have soured.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but since then" to clearly indicate a change or contrast in a situation after a specific point in time. This phrase works best when the contrast is somewhat unexpected or noteworthy.

Common error

Avoid using "but since then" in overly simple sentences where a more concise conjunction like "however" or "yet" would suffice. Using it sparingly adds emphasis to significant shifts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but since then" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects two clauses, indicating a contrast ("but") and a temporal sequence ("since then"). It sets up a situation that has changed over time, creating a comparison between a past state and a present or more recent state. Ludwig AI confirms the usage in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

19%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but since then" is a very common and grammatically correct conjunctive adverbial phrase used to indicate a contrast and temporal sequence. Ludwig AI validates its widespread use. It serves to highlight changes or developments that have occurred after a specific point in time, as evidenced by many Ludwig examples. While suitable for various contexts, including news, business, and academia, the register remains neutral. When using "but since then", ensure it effectively emphasizes the change or contrast you intend to convey and is not redundant in simple sentences. Alternatives such as "however since then" or "yet since then" can provide slight nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however, since then

This alternative directly replaces "but" with "however", maintaining the same contrastive meaning.

yet since then

This option substitutes "but" with "yet", providing a slightly more emphatic contrast.

but after that

This choice replaces "since then" with "after that", simplifying the temporal connection.

but subsequently

This option utilizes "subsequently" for a more formal tone, indicating the events that followed.

since that time, however

This inverts the structure, emphasizing the temporal aspect before introducing the contrast.

from then on, though

This conveys a more continuous sense of change following the initial event.

but in the time since

This alternative emphasizes the duration of time that has passed.

even so, afterwards

This version splits the contrast and temporal elements for a slightly different emphasis.

nonetheless, following that

This provides a more formal way to express the contrast and subsequent events.

despite that, thereafter

This separates the contrasting element and utilizes "thereafter" to indicate time.

FAQs

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

"But since then" is used to show a contrast or change after a specific point in time. For example, "The project faced initial setbacks, "but since then" it has progressed smoothly".

What are some alternatives to "but since then"?

You can use alternatives like "however since then", "yet since then", or "but after that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "but since then" formal or informal?

"But since then" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might consider alternatives like "subsequently" or "thereafter" for a more elevated tone.

How does "but since then" differ from "but before that"?

"But since then" indicates a change after a specific point in time, whereas "but before that" indicates something that happened prior to a certain event, establishing a contrast between the past and a reference point.