since she was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase ‘since she was’ is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You would use this phrase to introduce a sentence that describes an event that happened in the past: Since she was a little girl, she has loved playing in the snow.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not since she was a child.

The New Yorker

"I knew her since she was young".

The New York Times

Since she was new, this was impossible.

Harvard Business Review

"Since she was 2 years old.

The Washington Post

Had known it since she was small.

The Guardian - Books

Since she was five she'd do that.

The Guardian

I've known her since she was born".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I've known Inés since she was a child, since she was seven years old.

The New Yorker

I've had her since she was 6 weeks old.

The New York Times

It is 39 years since she was last nominated.

Independent

Cecilia's parents have been divorced since she was four.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "since she was", ensure the tense in the main clause reflects the ongoing impact or state resulting from that starting point. For example, "She has loved music since she was a child" (present perfect) rather than "She loved music since she was a child" (simple past).

Common error

Avoid using the simple past tense in the main clause when using "since she was". The simple past suggests a completed action, while "since" implies a continuing relevance or impact. Instead, use the present perfect or past perfect to show the continuing relevance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "since she was" functions as a temporal prepositional phrase, introducing a subordinate clause that specifies the starting point of an action or state. This is validated by Ludwig, which shows numerous examples where it introduces clauses indicating duration or continued effect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Wiki

6%

Huffington Post

4%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "since she was" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate a starting point in the past that continues to have relevance in the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, primarily in news and media. To use the phrase correctly, ensure that the main clause employs a tense that reflects the continuing effect, such as the present perfect. Common alternatives include "from her youth" or "ever since her childhood". By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively use "since she was" to provide temporal context and background information. Some common mistakes to avoid include using simple past in the main clause instead of the present perfect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

since her tender age

Highlights the long-lasting effect from when she was very young.

from the time she was little

Focuses on a specific period in the past when she was young, suggesting a connection to current events.

in her formative years

Focuses on the period when she was developing her character and personality, implying a lasting impact.

ever since her childhood

Emphasizes the entire period from her childhood until now, highlighting a continuous state.

from a tender age

Emphasizes the youthfulness and innocence during the period in question, suggesting an early influence.

since her early days

A general expression referring to the early period of her life, indicating a long-term connection.

from her youth

Replaces "since she was" to indicate a starting point from a young age, focusing on the duration from that time.

following her early years

Highlights a period after her initial years, suggesting a change or development from that point.

dating back to her infancy

Specifies a starting point in infancy, indicating a long-lasting condition or behavior.

after her birth

Indicates the time immediately following her birth, emphasizing the subsequent events or conditions.

FAQs

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

The phrase "since she was" is used to indicate a starting point in the past that has a continuing effect or relevance. For example, "She has been playing the piano "since she was five"" shows that her piano playing started at age five and continues to the present.

What are some alternatives to "since she was"?

Alternatives include phrases like "from her youth", "ever "since her childhood"", "dating back to her infancy", or "from the time she was little". These phrases offer similar ways to express a temporal relationship.

Is it correct to say "She liked it since she was young"?

While understandable, it's better to use the present perfect tense to emphasize the continuing relevance. A more grammatically sound alternative would be "She has liked it "since she was young"".

What's the difference between "since she was" and "when she was"?

"Since she was" indicates a duration from a starting point in the past, while "when she was" refers to a specific moment or period in the past. For example, "She has lived here "since she was born"" (duration) versus "She was happy "when she was there"" (specific time).