since back then

USAGE SUMMARY

"since back then" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to the time before a point in the past that is already established in context. For example, "I've had this car since back then, and it's still running like a charm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

In guaranteeing freedom of the press, the framers gave a pass to fake news, since back then the press was mainly devoted to hot-blooded opinion.

The New Yorker

Perhaps even more of a gamble, since back then the economy was showing signs of bouncing back from its deepest and longest post-war recession and now it is back in the doldrums.

The Guardian - Business

One can hardly blame D-Link, however, since back then there wasn't an easy way to archive video in the cloud or monitor what was happening back at the homestead through a smartphone.

Forbes

Strange Ways was first published in 1925 in Warsaw, and, according to Golda Werman's introduction, this was a milestone in Yiddish letters, since back then it was "almost unprecedented" for a full-length novel by a woman to be published in Yiddish.

Johns Hopkins University

They probably do, yeah, but I haven't tried that since back then.

Vice

If anything, Boris Yeltsin's government was a moderate influence since back then the Soviet states also declared independence.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I haven't touched a Wii since Nov. Back then the network stuff was not yet functional.

TechCrunch

(They did legally declare her a boy since, especially back then, being male gave one certain advantages). .

Vice

Breakfast was a slice of apple pie and a few glasses of ale or hard cider, since water back then most likely gave you the shits.

Vice

Let's consider a comment specific to Sanger's own time, since even back then obtaining funding could be challenging (but Sanger was viewed as a rock star by today's standard).

Genetics

The product has been around since the 1980s (back then it was called Nutshell), but has evolved ever since.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "since back then" to clearly establish a timeframe, ensuring your audience understands the context and duration you're referencing. For example, "Technology has changed drastically since back then, leading to innovations we couldn't have imagined."

Common error

Be mindful of overusing temporal markers. While "since back then" can be effective, excessive use can clutter your writing. Vary your phrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "since back then" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a duration or change that has occurred from a specific point in the past. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62.5%

Academia

25%

Wiki

12.5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "since back then" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to establish a clear temporal relationship, contrasting a past state with the present. According to Ludwig, it's considered grammatically correct. While more common in news, media, academic and general writing, it’s essential to consider your audience and the overall tone of your piece when choosing this phrase. Related alternatives include "ever since then" and "from that time onward", which can provide a similar meaning with varying degrees of formality. Be mindful of potential redundancy and vary your phrasing to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ever since then

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the duration from the past point.

from then on

Similar to "ever since then" but slightly less emphatic about the continuous duration.

from that moment forward

Highlights a specific moment that changed the direction.

from that time onward

Formal alternative emphasizing the starting point and subsequent continuation.

in the time since

Emphasizes the period that has passed since the specified time.

since that period

Focuses on a specific era or time frame in the past.

in the intervening years

Highlights the years that have passed between the past event and the present.

subsequently

A more concise and formal way to indicate what followed a specific past time.

after that time

Similar to "following that", specifying 'time'.

following that

Simple and direct way to indicate what happened after a certain point.

FAQs

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

Use "since back then" to indicate a contrast between a past state and the present. For example, "The city has become much more crowded "since back then", with new buildings and increased traffic."

What's a more formal alternative to "since back then"?

For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "subsequently" or "from that time onward" to maintain a professional tone.

Is "since back then" grammatically correct?

Yes, "since back then" is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in informal or narrative contexts. However, ensure it fits the overall tone of your writing.

When is it appropriate to use "since back then" versus "since then"?

"Since back then" emphasizes a more distant or specific point in the past compared to the more general "since then". Choose the phrase that best reflects the context and level of detail needed.