since the dawn

USAGE SUMMARY

"since the dawn" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to reference the beginning of something, whether that is a time period, an event, or even a particular situation. For example, "Since the dawn of the internet, our lives have been transformed by unprecedented access to information and communication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Surgical instruments have been manufactured since the dawn of humankind.

Plastics in Medical Devices PROPERTIES, REQUIREMENTS, AND APPLICATIONS

Since the dawn of medicine, patient care has been reactive.

Stanford University

Since the dawn of humanity, mankind has communicated via symbols.

Independent

Since the dawn of time, populations have grown and expanded.

The New York Times

Humanity has pushed these edges since the dawn of society.

MIT Technology Review

"They've been screwed since the dawn of time.

The New Yorker

Since the dawn of computing, performance has been the dominant factor driving innovation.

Advances in Computers

Since the dawn of large-scale civilizations, humans have built exceptionally tall architectural structures.

Journal of Environmental Psychology

Snakes have fascinated the imaginations of people since the dawn of civilization.

Toxicon

Since the Dawn of Recorded Time, Plainly Speaking Since the dawn of recorded time, plainly speaking, You are born, and then you die.

The New York Times

"Laziness has been a trend since the dawn of time," he said.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "since the dawn" to create a sense of historical perspective or to emphasize the long-standing nature of a trend, problem or phenomenon.

Common error

While "since the dawn" is widely accepted, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler phrases like "since the beginning" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "since the dawn" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or clause to indicate a starting point in time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase to reference the beginning of something. The examples show it introducing a period of time, such as "since the dawn of computing" or "since the dawn of civilization."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

32%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "since the dawn" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate a starting point in time, often emphasizing the long-standing nature of a phenomenon. It is grammatically correct and widely accepted, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While it is commonly found in news and media, science and academia, it is best to avoid overuse in very informal contexts. For alternatives, consider phrases such as "from the beginning of time" or "since time immemorial" to vary your writing. Remember to use "since the dawn" to add historical depth and perspective to your writing, and be mindful of the context to maintain an appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

since the beginning

A more general way of expressing the start of something.

from the beginning of time

Emphasizes the entire history of existence rather than a specific era.

since time immemorial

Highlights the ancient and distant past.

since the origin

A direct reference to the starting point or source.

from the earliest times

Focuses on the initial stages of a period or development.

from day one

Highlights continuous action or a truth since the very first day.

from the outset

Highlights the initial stage of a project or endeavor.

since the inception

Used when referring to the start of an organization, idea or system.

since the genesis

Emphasizes the origin or creation of something.

since the creation

Emphasizes act of bringing something into existence.

FAQs

How can I use "since the dawn" in a sentence?

Use "since the dawn" to refer to the beginning of a period, event, or development. For instance, you could say, "Since the dawn of civilization, humans have sought ways to improve their lives."

What are some alternatives to "since the dawn"?

You can use alternatives like "from the beginning of time", "since time immemorial", or "from the earliest times" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "from the dawn of" instead of "since the dawn of"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "since the dawn of" emphasizes a continuous period from a starting point, whereas "from the dawn of" is less common and may sound slightly less natural in many contexts.

What is the difference between "since the dawn of time" and "since the dawn of civilization"?

"Since the dawn of time" refers to the very beginning of existence, while "since the dawn of civilization" refers to the beginning of organized human society. The former has a broader scope than the latter.