WordGarden.iosince
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /sˈɪns/
US
- /ˈsɪns/
Meanings
Preposition
from a point in the past until now or another stated time
Conjunction
from the time when; after the time that
because or given that
Beyond the definition
"Since" is a flexible little word. Most often, it shows the starting point of something: "I've been waiting since noon." Here, the waiting began at noon and has continued up to now. It can also mean "from then on" or "after that time," as in "She moved to Madrid in 2020 and has been much happier since." And it can give a reason, much like "because": "Since it's raining, we should stay inside." So this word usually helps you talk about time or explain why something is true.
The word "since" does two main jobs in English: it talks about time, and it gives a reason. It is a small word, but it appears in many very common sentence patterns.
When it is about time, "since" points to the moment when something started. Very often, the idea is "from that time until now." For example: "She has lived in Paris since she graduated from college." Her life in Paris started after graduation and still continues now. This use is common with the present perfect: "I have known him since 2018."
It can also point back to a past starting point in phrases like "since then." That phrase is very common: "We met in July, and since then we have spoken every day." Here, "since then" means "from that time until now."
Another common pattern is when "since" is followed by a full clause: "It has been three years since we last met." In this kind of sentence, the meeting happened three years ago. So "since" does not always describe an action that is still happening; sometimes it simply marks the earlier point in time that later time is measured from.
"Since" can also mean "because." In that use, it introduces the reason for something: "Since it's raining, we should stay inside." This is close to "because," but it often sounds a little softer, especially when the reason is already clear or easy to understand.
So, in everyday English, "since" usually helps in one of two ways: it marks a starting point in time, or it explains why something happens.
Examples
- 1
Starting year
I've lived in this apartment since 2021.
- 2
Last contact
We haven't seen Daniel since last summer.
- 3
Personal change
She's been sleeping better since she started exercising.
- 4
Ongoing relationship
I met her at university, and we've been close ever since.
- Phraseever since
from that time until now
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Since alone
He left for Canada five years ago and hasn't been back since.
- Grammar
since can stand alone at the end of a sentence meaning "since then"
- 6
Polite request
Since you're already online, could you check the meeting time for me?
- 7
Weather reason
Since the weather was so bad, we decided to stay home.
- 8
Time question
How long has it been since you last saw your grandparents?
- PatternHow long has it been since + past event?
asks about the time from that event until now
- 9
Workplace change
We moved to a smaller office in March, and things have been quieter since then.
- 10
Surprised question
Since when do you drink coffee?
- Usage
Since when ... ? can show surprise about a new or unexpected change
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- sinceadverbprepositionconjunction