since i was

USAGE SUMMARY

"since I was" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You would typically use it to indicate that something was true or has been the case for some period of time. For example, "Since I was a child, I've always been fascinated with space exploration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A. Since I was in high school.

The New York Times

I've worked since I was 14.

The New York Times

Since I was curious, I bought them.

The New York Times

"I know her since I was six.

The New Yorker

"Since I was eighteen," she replied.

The New Yorker

Not since I was 18.

The Guardian

Ever since I was little.

The Guardian - Books

"I've done it since I was 16.

The New York Times

"I've been fishing since I was born.

The New York Times

It's been years since I was mugged.

The New York Times

I've been working since I was 17.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "since I was", ensure the subsequent clause clearly indicates the state or action that has been ongoing from that point in the past to the present. For example, "Since I was a child, I have loved reading."

Common error

Avoid using a simple past tense in the main clause when using "since I was". The correct structure requires a perfect tense (present perfect or past perfect) to show the duration of the action or state. For example, instead of saying "Since I was young, I liked chocolate", say "Since I was young, I have liked chocolate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "since i was" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a temporal clause. It sets a point in the past from which something has been true or has continued to happen, indicating duration. Ludwig examples show this clearly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "since i was" is a versatile and common temporal marker used to indicate a starting point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. Predominantly found in News & Media, this phrase effectively connects past experiences to present states or ongoing actions. Remember to use a perfect tense in the main clause to accurately convey the duration implied by "since i was". By understanding its function and avoiding common tense errors, you can confidently use "since i was" to add depth and context to your writing, and in cases where you need other choices you can choose the alternatives based on similarity score, always keeping in mind the nuance that each expression can add to your sentence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

since childhood

Simplifies the original phrase, omitting "I was" for brevity, implying the same starting point.

ever since my childhood

Adds emphasis with "ever since" making it stronger statement about the duration from childhood.

from my childhood

Substitutes "since I was" with a term specifically referring to the period of being a child, offering a similar timeframe.

ever since my youth

Adds emphasis with "ever since" making it stronger statement about the duration from youth.

from my youth

Replaces "since I was" with a more concise and literary expression indicating the starting point as one's younger years.

dating back to my childhood

Uses a more formal tone, indicating a historical connection to one's childhood, rather than a personal recollection.

since my early years

Replaces "since I was" by specifying early years as the starting point.

from a young age

Replaces "since I was" with a broader term indicating the beginning occurred during youth.

dating back to my youth

Uses a more formal tone, indicating a historical connection to one's younger years, rather than a personal recollection.

in my formative years

Replaces "since I was" with a reference to a broader period of development, implying a significant impact on one's character or abilities.

FAQs

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

Use "since i was" to indicate a starting point in the past and connect it to a present or past state or action. For example, "Since I was a child, I've always been interested in astronomy".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "since i was"?

Consider using phrases like "from my youth", "from my childhood", or "since childhood" for variety.

Is it correct to use a simple past tense with "since i was"?

No, it's generally incorrect. Use a perfect tense (present perfect or past perfect) to show the duration. For example, say "Since I was young, I have liked chocolate" instead of "Since I was young, I liked chocolate".

How does the meaning change if I use "when i was" instead of "since i was"?

"Since i was" emphasizes the duration from a point in the past to the present, while "when i was" simply refers to a specific time in the past without necessarily implying ongoing duration. For instance, "Since I was a child, I have collected stamps" implies a continuing hobby, whereas "When I was a child, I collected stamps" doesn't necessarily mean you still do.