since when has

USAGE SUMMARY

"since when has" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used in questions to inquire about the time or duration of something. It is often used to express surprise or disbelief about a situation or action that has been ongoing. Example: "Since when has John been dating Sarah? I had no idea they were together." In this example, the speaker expresses surprise that John and Sarah are in a relationship, and they are asking about the duration of their relationship.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Since when has it been going on?

The Economist

Since when has that been the rule?

The New York Times

And since when has hacking at MIT been a contest.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Since when has this ever mattered to America's ruling elites?

The Economist

But since when has fairness stopped a joke?

The Economist

Since WHEN has the ocean "been rising slowly and relentlessly"?

The New York Times

And since when has Afghanistan been in 'the tropics'?

Independent

Since when has "Gents (4,4)" become "Men's room"?

The Guardian

Since when has England been a unit of measurement?

The Guardian

"Since when has scandal made anything less valuable?" he asks.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Since when has he been chained?" Smith says.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "since when has" to express surprise or disbelief about a current situation, implying that it's a recent or unexpected development. For example, "Since when has John been in charge?"

Common error

Avoid using "since when has" in neutral inquiries. The phrase inherently conveys surprise or skepticism, so using it in a genuinely curious question might sound accusatory or sarcastic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "since when has" functions as an interrogative expression, primarily used to challenge the validity, duration, or unexpected nature of a situation or statement. As Ludwig AI points out, it’s used to inquire about the time or duration of something, often expressing surprise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "since when has" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express surprise or skepticism regarding a new situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is primarily interrogative and carries an undertone of disbelief. It is frequently found in news and media sources but applicable across various contexts. When using "since when has", be mindful of the implied skepticism to avoid unintended confrontational tone. If a neutral inquiry is desired, alternative phrasing is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how long has it been that

Replaces "since when" with "how long" focusing on duration.

how long is it that

Directly asks about the duration of an existing state.

how long has it been since

Similar to 'how long has it been that', focusing on elapsed time.

when did it become the case that

Emphasizes the point in time when something started.

since which time has it been

Emphasizes a specific time from which something has been occurring.

at what point did it start being

Highlights the initiation of a state or action.

since what moment has it been

Focuses on the specific moment something began.

when was it established that

Questions the establishment or acceptance of something.

on what occasion did it begin to be

More formal way of asking when something started.

when could it be said that

Asks about the time something could be accurately stated.

FAQs

How can I use "since when has" in a sentence?

Use "since when has" to express surprise or challenge a new or unexpected situation. For example, "Since when has /s/John+started+cooking dinner every night?"

What's a less confrontational way to ask about the start of something if I don't want to sound surprised?

Instead of "since when has", you could ask "When did this start?" or "How long has this been going on?" for a more neutral inquiry.

Which is correct, "since when has" or "when has since"?

"Since when has" is the correct and idiomatic phrasing. "When has since" is grammatically incorrect and not used in standard English.

What can I say instead of "since when has" to express a similar sentiment?

You can use alternatives like "how long has it been that", "when did it become the case that", or "at what point did it start being" depending on the context.