since five years ago

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "since five years ago" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly because "since" should be followed by a specific point in time rather than a duration. Example: "I have lived here since 2018."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Since last July the state has opted to use just one massive dose of the sedative pentobarbital as its lethal injection, instead of a cocktail of three different drugs.

The Guardian

When the Labour leader said no, a lowing sound could be heard, the noise of an audience uniting in sceptical rejection of the man before them – a reminder that one of Miliband's greatest errors since 2010 was his failure to debunk the narrative that blames Labour profligacy for the country's fiscal troubles.

The Guardian

Since 2011, United has piled up a mountain of consumer complaints (according to one report, only Spirit has more per passenger) and has repeatedly tallied some of the worst quality rankings in the nation, trailing even discount airlines like Frontier and AirTran.

The Economist

Nursultan Nazarbayev has led Kazakhstan as president, since independence in 1991, extending his tenure through a series of constitutional revisions and elections in which he has faced only token opposition.

The Guardian

She said the existing system made it unlikely that an immigration overhaul could unleash a new wave of illegal migration, like the surge since the amnesty of 1986.

The New York Times

The company has grown spectacularly since their father, Fred, died, in 1967, and the brothers took charge.

The Economist

What happened four months ago is forgotten, whether that's good, bad or indifferent.

The Guardian - Sport

"They gave me their word a year ago and now I want them to honour that.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's only what happened a couple of weeks ago or next week that matters.

The Guardian - Sport

Specifically, the Nasdaq excludes anyone who was employed the company in the past three years.

The New York Times

"Five years ago I stood here and said we had made history here in Brighton," Lucas said to loud cheers inside the Brighton Centre conference venue.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a period that began in the past and continues to the present, use "for the past five years" or "in the last five years" instead of "since five years ago".

Common error

Avoid using "since" followed by a duration of time (e.g., "five years"). "Since" should be followed by a specific point in time (e.g., "since 2020"). Use "for" to indicate a duration (e.g., "for five years").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "since five years ago" functions as an incorrect prepositional phrase attempting to specify a period of time. As Ludwig AI indicates, "since" is misused here. It should connect an action to a specific point in the past, not a duration.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "since five years ago" is grammatically incorrect. It misuses the word "since", which should be followed by a specific point in time, not a duration. As Ludwig AI explains, it is better to use phrases like "for the past five years", "in the last five years", or simply "five years ago" depending on the intended meaning. These alternatives are grammatically correct and more effectively convey the intended meaning in both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for the past five years

Replaces 'since' with 'for' to indicate a duration, emphasizing the continuous period.

in the last five years

Focuses on actions or events that occurred within the specified timeframe.

over the last five years

Similar to 'in the last five years', but with a slightly broader sense of time.

during the last five years

Highlights events happening within the period, giving a sense of occurrences within those years.

within the last five years

Emphasizes inclusion within the specified five-year window.

five years ago

Simple past reference; a completed action or state at that point in time.

in the five years since [a specific event]

Uses 'since' correctly by referencing a specific point in time, rather than a duration.

five years prior

More formal way of saying 'five years ago'.

five years earlier

Highlights the temporal distance from a reference point.

for a period of five years

Emphasizes the duration of time.

FAQs

Why is "since five years ago" considered grammatically incorrect?

"Since" should be followed by a specific point in time, not a duration. Instead, use "for the past five years" or simply "five years ago".

What are some correct alternatives to "since five years ago"?

Correct alternatives include "for the past five years", "in the last five years", or "over the last five years".

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

Use "since" to indicate the starting point of an action or event that continues to the present. For example, "I have worked here since 2020".

Is there a difference between using "for five years" and "since 2020"?

Yes. "For five years" indicates a duration, while "since 2020" indicates the starting point. Both are grammatically correct, but they convey different meanings related to time.