since after

USAGE SUMMARY

"since after" is not a correct usage in written English as "since" and "after" are different conjunctions that cannot be used together this way.
You can use either "since" or "after" depending on the context. For example: "I've been studying hard since after the exam period started." In this sentence, "since" is the correct choice. The sentence should read: "I've been studying hard since the exam period started."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The Rons doubt it since, after Kerry did include them, they kidnapped the school girls in any event.

Huffington Post

The Frenchman told arsenal.com on Thursday: "Nothing has changed since after the game.

Independent

Perhaps this is fitting, since after 1971 the author, too, rather vanished.

The New Yorker

Wenger told the club's website: "Nothing has changed since after the game.

The Guardian - Sport

(Veterans have had special vending rights since after the Civil War).

The New York Times

I couldn't stand up that story then, nor have I done so since after further research.

The Guardian

"I've been suffering a long time, since after the earthquake," he said.

The New Yorker

Her financial skills may soon be tested, since after the election Lithuania may well turn to the IMF for help.

The Economist

One young man was killed inside the club in 1997, and several have been shot since after leaving it.

The Economist

"We haven't had a bite to eat since after the weigh-in, we had a bread roll with some Nutella.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Why nothing since - after all you're only 66? "My back.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "since after" in your writing. Choose either "since" or "after" depending on the intended meaning to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

A common mistake is using both "since" and "after" together, which creates redundancy and grammatical errors. Remember that "since" indicates a time from a past event to the present, while "after" simply indicates a subsequent event. Choose the one that best fits the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "since after" attempts to function as a temporal conjunction, aiming to connect two events in time. However, due to its ungrammatical structure, it fails to clearly establish the intended relationship. Ludwig identifies it as incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "since after" is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment, advising against its use. It's better to use either "since" or "after" depending on the context. While examples exist across categories like News & Media and Science, the phrase's low frequency and ungrammatical nature suggest it should be avoided in favor of more precise and correct alternatives like "ever since", "after that", or "subsequently" to ensure clarity and maintain credibility in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ever since

Emphasizes the duration from a past event to the present.

since that time

A more descriptive way of saying "since then", specifying a past moment.

after that

A straightforward way to indicate a sequence of events without implying causality.

from then on

Focuses on the continuation of a state or action from a specific point in time.

afterward

A simple alternative to "after", indicating something that happens at a later time.

following

Similar to "after", but can imply a more direct consequence or sequence of events.

from that point forward

Highlights the change in direction or condition following a specific event.

thereafter

A more formal way of saying "after that"; emphasizes the chronological order.

subsequently

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adverb indicating something that follows in time; more concise.

in the wake of

Implies that something happens as a result of a preceding event, often with a sense of consequence.

FAQs

Why is "since after" considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "since after" is incorrect because "since" and "after" are both conjunctions that introduce time. Using them together is redundant and doesn't follow standard English grammar rules, as confirmed by Ludwig's AI analysis.

What is a correct way to use "since" in a sentence?

Use "since" to indicate a period of time from a past event to the present. For example, "I have been working "since 2010"" shows the duration of the work.

When should I use "after" instead of "since after"?

Use "after" to indicate that one event follows another. For example, "After the game, we went out for dinner" shows a sequence of events.

Are there situations where "since after" might be acceptable?

No, "since after" is not considered acceptable in standard written English. Alternatives like "ever since" or simply "since" or "after" should be used to maintain grammatical correctness.