since time began

USAGE SUMMARY

"since time began" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when talking about something that has been occurring since the beginning of existence. Example Sentence: Scientists have been trying to unravel the mysteries of the universe since time began.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

SINCE time began, it seems, people have been putting off till tomorrow what they could have done today — berating themselves and inconveniencing others in the process.

The New York Times

Prophets have been foretelling Armageddon since time began, he says.

The Guardian

We've been doing community policing since time began".

The New York Times

That women have been seeking to terminate pregnancies since time began justifies abortions?

The New York Times

Grammar and punctuation: the two most irritant-inducing things since time began when not used properly.

Independent

Since time began, your country has resisted referendums for sensible reasons.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's been said since time began and all the international evidence is saying that".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

It was the lowest approval rating for a mayor since The Times began taking polls on mayoral performance in 1978.

The New York Times

Mayor Bloomberg received the lowest approval rating for a mayor since The Times began polling about mayoral performance in 1978.

The New York Times

Several companies, including CVS, Pacific Gas & Electric and Capital One Financial, have posted new information about their political giving since The Times began its review.

Los Angeles Times

"I saw them over the weekend for the first time since camp began," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "since time began" to emphasize that something has been true or occurring throughout all of recorded history or even longer. It adds a sense of timelessness or universality to your statement.

Common error

While "since time began" is a powerful phrase, avoid using it too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive and lose its impact. Opt for more specific time references when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "since time began" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating when something has been true or has occurred. It provides a temporal context, emphasizing the enduring nature of the statement. Ludwig examples confirm its role in specifying a period stretching back to the earliest point in history.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "since time began" is a widely used and grammatically sound phrase that serves to emphasize the extended duration of a particular state or action. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English. Its primary function is to provide a temporal context, highlighting that something has been true from the very beginning of recorded history or even earlier. While it is most commonly found in news and media contexts, it can also be used effectively in scientific and general writing. To avoid repetition, consider using alternatives such as "from the beginning of time" or "since the dawn of time". The phrase effectively conveys a sense of timelessness and universality to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from the beginning of time

Emphasizes the temporal aspect, highlighting the very start of existence.

since the dawn of time

Uses more poetic and evocative language, suggesting an ancient origin.

since the creation

Implies a specific creation event, often with religious connotations.

since the world began

Focuses on the origin of the world as the starting point.

since the beginning

A more general term that can refer to any initial point, not necessarily the start of everything.

from time immemorial

Indicates a past so distant that it is beyond memory or record.

since the earliest times

Highlights the antiquity of something, referring to the most ancient periods.

from day one

A more colloquial expression indicating the very start of something specific.

since forever

An informal expression implying a very long time, potentially exaggerating the time span.

since history began

Focuses on the period after the start of recorded history.

FAQs

How can I use "since time began" in a sentence?

You can use "since time began" to emphasize the long duration of something. For example, "People have been telling stories "since time began"."

What are some alternatives to "since time began"?

Alternatives include "from the beginning of time", "since the dawn of time", or "from time immemorial", depending on the context and the desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "since time was" instead of "since time began"?

While "since time was" is grammatically correct, "since time began" is more common and widely accepted in contemporary English.

What is the difference between "since time began" and "since history began"?

"Since time began" refers to the entire existence of the universe or humanity, whereas "since history began" refers specifically to the period after the development of writing and record-keeping. The former has a broader scope.