since

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'since' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to a period of time starting at a particular point in the past and leading up to the present. Example sentence: I have been living in this town since 2000.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

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membership and lobbying body, the Federation of Black Housing Organisations (FBHO) was disbanded in 2008 and has since been replaced by a slimmed-down BMENational, sheltering under the wing of the NHF.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

When using "since" to indicate time, ensure the main clause is in the present perfect tense to reflect an action that started in the past and continues to the present.

Common error

Avoid using the simple past tense in the main clause when "since" indicates a duration. Use the present perfect instead to show continuity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "since" is to act as a conjunction or preposition. As a conjunction, it connects two clauses, indicating either a time relationship or a cause. As a preposition, it specifies the starting point of a duration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Since" is a versatile term acting as both a conjunction and a preposition, primarily used to denote temporal relationships or to provide reasons. As Ludwig shows, it's frequently found in news and media, marking events from a specific point onward. While grammatically sound and very common, writers should be mindful of tense consistency and consider more formal alternatives like "given that" in academic or professional contexts. Be sure to maintain correct tense usage to reflect ongoing actions accurately. In general, "since" is a useful and often used tool for linking events and ideas effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ever since

Emphasizes the continuous duration from a point in the past.

because

Indicates direct causation, similar to one use of "since".

as

Similar to "since" in expressing a reason or cause.

given that

Emphasizes the premise or condition leading to a conclusion, akin to "since".

from that time

Highlights a specific starting point in the past.

in view of the fact that

More formal way of indicating a reason, similar to "since".

seeing that

Informal way of introducing a reason, comparable to "since".

following

Indicates a time sequence after a specific event.

after

Denotes a temporal relationship where one event follows another.

inasmuch as

A formal way to express a reason or justification.

FAQs

How do I use "since" to show duration?

Use "since" with a specific point in the past and pair it with the present perfect tense to show something that began then and continues now. For instance, "I have lived here since 2010."

Can I use "since" interchangeably with "because"?

While "since" and "because" can both indicate a reason, "because" is often clearer when emphasizing causality. "Since" can sometimes imply a temporal relationship as well.

What's the difference between "since" and "ever since"?

"Since" indicates a point in time from which something has continued. "Ever since" adds emphasis to the continuous nature of that duration.

What are some formal alternatives to using "since"?

In formal writing, consider using phrases like "given that", "inasmuch as", or "considering that" instead of "since" to indicate a reason or cause.