since I was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "since I was" is an acceptable part of a sentence in written English.
You would use it to denote that something has happened for a period of time since a certain point in the past. For example: "I have been living in the same house since I was 10."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A. Since I was in high school.

The New York Times

I've worked since I was 14.

The New York Times

Since I was curious, I bought them.

The New York Times

"I know her since I was six.

The New Yorker

"Since I was eighteen," she replied.

The New Yorker

Not since I was 18.

The Guardian

Ever since I was little.

The Guardian - Books

"I've done it since I was 16.

The New York Times

"I've been fishing since I was born.

The New York Times

It's been years since I was mugged.

The New York Times

I've been working since I was 17.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "since I was" to establish a clear temporal starting point, ensuring that the subsequent verb tense accurately reflects the duration or continuation of the action. For example, "I have been playing the piano since I was five" indicates an action that began in the past and continues to the present.

Common error

Avoid using simple past tense after "since I was" when the action extends to the present. Incorrect: "I played the piano since I was five." Correct: "I have played the piano since I was five."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "since I was" functions as a temporal prepositional phrase, introducing a clause that specifies the starting point of a duration. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its role in defining when an action or state began.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "since I was" serves as a temporal marker indicating the start of an event or state that continues to the present. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse sources. While generally neutral in tone, context affects the level of formality of the phrase. The most common mistake to avoid is using the simple past tense instead of the present perfect when describing actions that extend to the present. Remember to choose appropriate alternatives like "from my youth" or "since childhood" based on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when I was

This alternative uses only the temporal clause "when I was", being the shortest way to express a specific moment in the past.

from when I was

Similar to "from the time I was", but slightly more informal and direct.

from the time I was

This version uses a more descriptive clause, which can add detail but might sound less concise.

since childhood

This phrase specifies the time period as childhood, suitable when the reference point is the speaker's early years.

from a young age

Similar to "since childhood", but emphasizes the early stage at which something began.

since my youth

A more direct synonym, replacing the clause with a noun phrase indicating youth.

from my youth

This alternative replaces "since I was" with a direct reference to youth, focusing on the period of being young.

ever since my early years

This is a more emphatic way of saying "since I was young", adding a sense of continuity.

in my younger days

This idiom refers to a past period of youth, implying a change or contrast with the present.

dating back to my

Suitable for emphasizing the historical aspect of something that started in the past.

FAQs

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

Use "since I was" to indicate a starting point in the past from which an action or state continues. For example, "I have lived here "since I was" a child" means you started living there in your childhood and still live there.

What's the difference between "since I was" and "when I was"?

"Since I was" indicates a duration from a past point to the present, while "when I was" refers to a specific time in the past. Use "I have known him "since I was" 10" to show a continuing relationship, and "When I was young, I enjoyed playing outside" to describe a past activity.

Is it correct to say "I am doing something since I was young"?

No, it's not correct. The present continuous tense ("I am doing") doesn't fit with "since I was young", which implies a duration. The correct form is "I have been doing something "since I was" young".

What are some alternatives to "since I was" to indicate a starting point in time?

Alternatives include "from my youth", "since childhood", or "from a young age". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.