since kindergarten

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "since kindergarten" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a time period starting from when someone was in kindergarten, often to express a long-standing relationship or experience. Example: "I have known her since kindergarten, and we have been best friends ever since."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

They have been soul mates since kindergarten.

The New York Times - Magazine

I've felt that way since kindergarten.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was taught about it since kindergarten.

The New York Times

My 40 classmates and I had been together since kindergarten.

The New York Times

Te'o and Toma had been best friends since kindergarten.

The New York Times - Sports

They had been friends since kindergarten, but weren't inseparable.

The Guardian

"A lot of these kids have been together since kindergarten.

The New York Times

Bernstein said he and Chen have been friends "since kindergarten".

The New York Times

Kayla and Quanti have been friends since kindergarten.

The Guardian - Music

Ms. Engelman, the deaf student, has had translators since kindergarten.

The New York Times

You know Rick?" I've known Rick since kindergarten.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "since kindergarten" to emphasize a long-standing relationship, habit, or condition that started in early childhood. For example: "They have been friends since kindergarten, sharing countless memories together."

Common error

Avoid using "since kindergarten" when referring to skills or knowledge typically acquired later in life. It's misleading to say "I've been coding since kindergarten" unless you were genuinely introduced to it at that age. Be accurate and specify the appropriate starting point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "since kindergarten" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a point in time from which something has continued. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically sound. The examples show it modifying verbs to express duration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Formal & Business

9%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "since kindergarten" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate a timeframe starting from kindergarten. As Ludwig's examples show, it's most frequently found in news and media contexts. While widely accepted, more specific language may be preferred in highly formal settings. Remember to use it accurately to reflect the actual starting point and avoid overgeneralizations. When greater precision is needed, consider alternatives like ""since early childhood"" or ""from a young age"". As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is generally well-regarded and understood across different registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from kindergarten onward

Focuses on the progression from kindergarten forward, implying continued action or state.

since starting kindergarten

Emphasizes the act of beginning kindergarten as the point of origin.

since my kindergarten days

Highlights a personal recollection of the kindergarten period.

from the time I started kindergarten

Specifies the exact moment of beginning kindergarten as the starting point.

since early school years

Broader than kindergarten, encompassing the initial years of formal education.

since childhood

A more general reference to youth, less specific than kindergarten.

from a very young age

Even broader, indicating an early start without specifying kindergarten.

since I was five years old

Replaces kindergarten with an approximate age, making it less precise.

for as long as I can remember

Indicates a very long time, but without a precise starting point.

since the beginning of my education

Focuses on formal schooling, which might begin before or after kindergarten for some.

FAQs

What does it mean to say something has been happening "since kindergarten"?

It means that something has been happening continuously from the time someone was in kindergarten until the present. It's often used to emphasize a long duration.

What can I say instead of "since kindergarten" if I want to be less specific?

You can use alternatives like "since early childhood", "from a young age", or "for as long as I can remember" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "since kindergarten" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, using more precise language might be preferable in formal writing. For instance, instead of saying "I've known this concept since kindergarten", you could say "My understanding of this concept dates back to my early education".

Can "since preschool" be used interchangeably with "since kindergarten"?

Not exactly. "Since preschool" refers to a period before kindergarten. Use "since preschool" if you want to indicate something that started in preschool rather than kindergarten.