since he was

USAGE SUMMARY

"since he was" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that happened in the past, up until the present time. Example: He has been my neighbor since he was a child.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

since he was eleven.

The New Yorker

Amand since he was a child.

The New York Times

He should know, since he was there.

The New Yorker

Things had changed since he was there.

The New Yorker

since he was injured.

The New York Times - Sports

He's done it since he was 17".

The New York Times - Magazine

"I've known Eto'o since he was 16.

Independent

Rumours have abounded since he was released.

The Guardian

"I've known him since he was small.

The Guardian

He's been collecting since he was eight.

The Guardian

He had played hockey since he was 7 years old.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "since he was" to establish a clear temporal connection between a past event or state and its ongoing relevance. It's particularly effective when describing habits, skills, or conditions that have persisted over time.

Common error

Avoid using "since he was" without a clear present-tense consequence or result. Ensure that the sentence includes a present state or action that is directly linked to the past condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "since he was" acts as a temporal conjunction, introducing a dependent clause that specifies a starting point in the past. This clause modifies the main clause, indicating the duration from that past point until the present. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "since he was" is a commonly used temporal conjunction that connects a past starting point with a present condition or action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread application across various contexts, particularly in news and media. To effectively use it, ensure a clear temporal link and avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "from his youth" or "from the time he was" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. Mastering this phrase involves recognizing its role in establishing duration and influence from the past.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from when he was

A simpler, more direct way to state the origin of the period.

from the time he was

More explicitly states the point in time being referenced.

since the age of

Specifies a numerical age as the starting point.

since his childhood

Highlights the entire period from when he was a child.

since his early years

Focuses on the initial stage of his life.

ever since his youth

Adds emphasis to the continuous nature of the duration.

from his youth

Emphasizes the starting point as his younger years, focusing on the duration from that time.

from being a

Highlights the state or role he had at the beginning.

since becoming a

Emphasizes the transformation to a certain state or role.

dating back to his time as

Formal and emphasizes the historical aspect or origin.

FAQs

How can I use "since he was" in a sentence?

Use "since he was" to indicate a time in the past from which something has continued to the present. For example, "He has been passionate about music "since he was" a child."

What phrases are similar to "since he was"?

Similar phrases include "from his youth", "from the time he was", or "since his childhood", each emphasizing a starting point in the past that continues to the present.

How does "since he was" differ from "when he was"?

"Since he was" implies a duration or continuation from that time until now, while "when he was" simply refers to a specific moment or period in the past without necessarily implying a continued effect.

Is it always necessary to include an age when using "since he was"?

No, specifying an age is not always necessary. You can refer to a condition or role, such as "since he was a child" or "since he was in school", as long as the temporal reference is clear.