since at least

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "since at least" is correct and can be used in written English.
It typically implies that the indicated period of time is longer than assumed or mentioned. For example, you could say, "The river has been polluted since at least the 1950s."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I've loathed him since at least 1985.

The Guardian

These gullies have been relatively stable since at least 1945.

CATENA

It's actually been considered derisive since at least 1940.

The New York Times

Not much has happened since — at least not publicly.

The New York Times

Electronic books have been readily available since at least 2007.

The New York Times

Shifters have appeared on dashboards since at least the 1930s.

The New York Times

Shorts have been reviled since at least the seventeenth century.

The New Yorker

That had not happened since at least 1990.

The New York Times

This tension has been high since at least 1917.

The New York Times

Global sales have been declining since at least last July.

The Economist

Many areas have not had rain since at least October.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "since at least" when you want to indicate a minimum starting point or duration, acknowledging that the actual starting point may be earlier or the duration longer. For example, "The practice has been in place since at least 2010."

Common error

Avoid using "since at least" when you have precise information about the starting date. If you know the exact year something began, simply use "since" followed by the year. For example, instead of "The company has operated since at least 1995", use "The company has operated since 1995."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "since at least" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating a time frame. It specifies a minimum starting point for an action or state, implying it may have begun even earlier. As Ludwig's examples show, it is very used in formal, neutral and informal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

22%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "since at least" is a prepositional phrase that indicates a minimum starting point or duration, suggesting that the actual beginning could be earlier. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, including news, academic writing, and general conversation. While versatile, it's best to avoid using "since at least" when precise dates are known to prevent redundancy. Alternatives like "from a minimum of" or "dating back to at least" can provide similar meaning with subtle differences in emphasis. Overall, "since at least" is a valuable phrase for expressing durations with a degree of uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from at least

A shortened version of "since at least" that maintains a similar meaning.

at the very least since

Adds emphasis to the minimum duration or starting point.

dating back to at least

Emphasizes the historical aspect and provides a more formal tone.

from a minimum of

Replaces "since" with "from" and adds "a minimum of" to emphasize the lower bound of the time frame.

for a minimum of

Stresses the lower limit of a period.

as far back as

Indicates a point in the past, possibly further back than what is known.

no earlier than

Indicates the starting point is not before a certain time.

beginning no later than

Focuses on the latest possible starting time.

starting from no later than

Specifies the latest possible start date.

for a period of no less than

Highlights the duration and sets a minimum time frame.

FAQs

How can I use "since at least" in a sentence?

Use "since at least" to indicate that something has been happening from a particular time onwards, but it could have started even earlier. For instance, "Research on this topic has been ongoing "since at least" 2000".

What does "since at least" imply?

It implies that the actual starting point may be further back in time than the specified date. It's a way of acknowledging that the information available might not be precise.

Is it redundant to use "since at least" with an estimated date?

No, it's not redundant. Using "since at least" with an estimated date emphasizes the uncertainty and the possibility of an earlier start. However, ensure it adds value and isn't just repetitive.

What are some alternatives to using "since at least"?

You can use alternatives such as "from a minimum of", "no earlier than", or "dating back to at least" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.