since the first time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "since the first time" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe a situation that began at a particular point in time and has continued or remained the same ever since. For example, "I've been trying to learn French since the first time I arrived in France."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But more crucially the context has changed since the first time these amendments were enacted.

The New York Times

"Ever since the first time I came here, I've just loved this place".

The New York Times

Since the first time Baffert put me on him, he was special".

The Guardian - Sport

I have been crazy about Linda since the first time I saw her.

The New York Times

House says he has been sold on Death Stranding since the first time he saw it.

The Guardian - Tech

I have been haunted by this play since the first time I read it.

The Guardian

"Oh, probably since the first time some doctor put his fingers in my brain".

The New Yorker

"BlackBerrys haven't been hot since the first time [Lindsay] Lohan went to jail," it said.

The Guardian - Tech

He tells me a lot has changed since the first time I met him.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I've always loved New York since the first time I came here.

The New York Times

Olive We've been in Love ever since the first time I threw a saddle on her and she kicked me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "since the first time", ensure the subsequent clause accurately reflects the continuing or resulting state. Avoid using it when the relationship is not directly causal or continuous.

Common error

Avoid using "since the first time" if the event mentioned isn't directly related to the ongoing state. For instance, it would be incorrect to say "Since the first time I saw the movie, I bought bread" unless seeing the movie somehow prompted the bread purchase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "since the first time" functions as a temporal prepositional phrase, indicating the starting point of a continuous action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase accurately describes a situation that began at a specific point in time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "since the first time" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate that a particular state or action has been ongoing from a specific point in the past. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's crucial to ensure a clear causal relationship between the initial event and the persisting state. While versatile, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts. For more formal settings, alternatives like "from the initial occurrence" may be considered. However, "since the first time" provides clarity and emphasis on the duration, making it a valuable tool in various forms of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ever since the original occurrence

Adds emphasis using "ever since" while maintaining a similar meaning.

ever since the beginning

Adds emphasis to the continuous nature of the time period.

from the very first instance

Highlights the immediacy and initial nature of the event.

from the initial occurrence

Replaces "first time" with a more formal synonym, slightly altering the tone.

following the initial event

Replaces "since" with "following", focusing on the sequence of events.

since the outset

A more concise and slightly formal synonym for "since the beginning".

since its inception

Uses a more concise phrase referring to the beginning or start.

after the debut

More suited for events that have a public introduction or unveiling.

subsequent to the original occasion

A more formal and somewhat archaic phrasing.

from the get-go

An informal idiom meaning from the very beginning.

FAQs

How can I use "since the first time" in a sentence?

Use "since the first time" to indicate something has been true from a specific initial event until now. For example, "I've loved pizza /s/ever+since+the+first+time I tried it."

What's a more formal alternative to "since the first time"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "from the initial occurrence" or "subsequent to the original occasion". These alternatives, while more formal, maintain the meaning of "since the first time".

How does "since the first time" differ from "after the first time"?

"Since the first time" implies a continuous state or action from the initial event, while "after the first time" simply indicates something happened following that event. For instance, "I've been happy since the first time I met her" suggests ongoing happiness, but "I called her after the first time I met her" only means I called her sometime after our first meeting.

What are some common words to pair with "since the first time"?

Common pairings include verbs expressing continuous states (e.g., "loved", "known", "felt") and phrases indicating duration (e.g., "ever since", "for years"). For example, "I've known him /s/since+the+first+time I saw him."