since birth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'since birth' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use 'since birth' to refer to the time when you were born up until the present moment. For example, "I have lived in the same town since birth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She has been nearly deaf since birth.

The New York Times

I've known that since birth.

The New York Times - Sports

He's been blind since birth.

The New York Times

I have been vain since birth.

The New York Times - Magazine

I hadn't been so terrified since birth.

The Guardian - Travel

US Quevilly have been upstarts since birth.

The Guardian - Sport

They have known each other since birth.

The New York Times

Since birth, he has suffered from seizures.

The Guardian

"I've raised them since birth!" I cried.

The New Yorker

TOM MELCHER has been blind in one eye since birth.

The New York Times

Victor had had serious health problems since birth.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "since birth", ensure the context clearly indicates a condition or characteristic that has been present from the moment of birth and continues to the present. For example, "She has been blind since birth" clearly illustrates a condition existing from birth.

Common error

Avoid using "since birth" with past simple tense verbs. The phrase implies a continuous state, so use present perfect or present perfect continuous tenses. Instead of saying "He lived there since birth", say "He has lived there since birth."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "since birth" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb phrase to specify when a state or action began. Ludwig examples show its usage in contexts like "He has been blind since birth" and "I've known that since birth".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "since birth" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something has been true from the moment of one's birth until the present. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It functions as an adverbial phrase of time, often used with present perfect tenses. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and formal communication. While alternatives like "from infancy" or "congenitally" exist, "since birth" remains a clear and widely understood choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from the time I was born

A more verbose and explicit version, clarifying the starting point.

from infancy

Focuses on the early stage of life rather than the exact moment of birth.

from day one

Emphasizes the beginning or start of something, not exclusively birth.

congenitally

Specifically refers to conditions or traits present at birth.

since I entered the world

A more figurative and evocative way of expressing the same idea.

from my earliest years

Highlights the early part of life, not necessarily pinpointing birth.

since my arrival

Emphasizes entry into a particular place or situation, starting from birth.

from the cradle

Idiomatic expression emphasizing upbringing and early life.

since my nativity

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying since birth.

innately

Refers to qualities or characteristics that are inherent, not necessarily tied to a specific time.

FAQs

How do I correctly use "since birth" in a sentence?

Use "since birth" to indicate something that has been true from the time of your birth until now. For example, "I have lived in this city "since birth"."

What are some alternatives to saying "since birth"?

You can use phrases like "from infancy", "from day one", or "congenitally" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I knew him since birth"?

It's better to say "I have known him "since birth"". The present perfect tense is more appropriate because it describes a state that began in the past and continues to the present.

What's the difference between "since birth" and "from birth"?

"Since birth" emphasizes the continuous nature of something from the time of birth to the present. "From birth" can be used similarly, but it may also refer to something that existed at the time of birth but doesn't necessarily continue. For many cases, they are interchangeable.