If you find yourself confused about how to use the word “since,” you are not alone. “Since” can be a preposition, a subordinating conjunction, or an adverb. That’s three different lexical categories! There is some overlap between the meanings of the different forms of “since,” but there are some definite differences.
“Since” as a Preposition
First of all, let’s review what a preposition is. Prepositions are words like “in,” “out,” or “at.” They show the relationship between other words. Remember that a preposition must be followed by a noun phrase. You can’t have infinitive verbs or clauses after a preposition.
When we use “since” as a preposition, we show that an action or situation started at a particular time in the past and continues until now. Because we are connecting the past to the present, we normally use the present perfect verb form with the preposition “since.” Here are some examples:
- Since the party, she has not spoken to him at all.
- She stopped speaking with him at the time of the party, and she is still not speaking to him.
- They have been best friends since childhood.
- They started being friends as children, and they are still friends.
- She has been ice skating since December.
- She started ice skating in December, and she continues to ice skate.
Sometimes we can use the preposition “since” without an object. Here is an example: “They left town and haven’t been here since.” This is the same as “They left town and haven’t been here since then.” They left town on a particular day, and they haven’t returned. We understand the object of “since,” so there is no need to repeat it.
Please observe that “since” marks a point in the past. It can be used for a period of time between one point in the past and now, but it can’t be used to show a period of time that ended in the past. You can say, “Ms. Jackson has been the principal since 2020.” This means that she is still the principal now. If Ms. Jackson retired and is no longer the principal, you must use “from” and “to.” For example, “Ms. Jackson was the principal from 2020 to 2023.”
“Since” as a Subordinating Conjunction
Now, let’s review what a subordinating conjunction is. A subordinating conjunction connects a dependent clause to an independent clause. A clause contains at least a subject and a verb.
When we use “since” as a subordinating conjunction, it has two possible meanings. The first meaning is the same as the preposition “since.” We show that an action or situation started at a particular time in the past and continues until now. However, instead of showing the starting time as a noun, we show it as a clause. Here are some examples:
- I have lived in Pittsburgh since I was twenty-two years old.
- I started living in Pittsburgh when I was twenty-two years old, and I still live there.
- Since he graduated from college, he hasn’t been home.
- When he graduated from college, he stopped going home.
- You have drunk about ten cups of tea since you’ve been sitting here.
- You sat here in the past, and between that time, and now, you drank 10 cups of tea.
Notice that the independent clause uses the present perfect verb form, but the clause after “since” can use either the simple past or the present perfect.
The second meaning of “since” as a conjunction is the same as “because.” When you use “since” in this sense, you can use a variety of verb forms. You aren’t talking about time anymore. Here are some examples:
- Since you’re not interested, I won’t tell you about it.
- I won’t tell you about it because you aren’t interested.
- Since you’ve finished all your chores, you may go out and play.
- You may go out and play because you have finished your chores.
- Should we invite someone else since he can’t go?
- Because he can’t go, let’s consider inviting someone else.
Notice that the examples used a variety of verb forms. The first example used the present simple and the future simple, the second example used the present perfect and a modal verb, and the third example used the present simple and a modal verb. When “since” means “because,” you can use a variety of verb forms.
“Since” as an Adverb
Let’s review what an adverb is. An adverb is a word like “very,” “quickly,” or “often.” An adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. Adverbs can express things like frequency, degree, time, or level of certainty.
When we use “since” as an adverb, we are always expressing something related to time. There are two possible meanings. The first meaning of “since” is similar to “ago.” It shows that an event happened before the present time. Here is an example:
- I received your letter some time since.
The second meaning of “since” is similar to “subsequently.” We use it with an event that happened after a time in the past. Here are some examples:
- Jane was poor in high school, but she worked hard to build her business and has since become rich.
- We were divorced two years ago, and he has since remarried.
To summarize, “since” can be confusing because it can be a preposition, a subordinating conjunction, or an adverb. Depending on which lexical category it is, the meaning and the type of grammatical structures you can use it in will change. In most cases, the meaning of “since” is related to time, but it can also be used to connect a cause and an effect.
References
Murphy, Raymond (2007). Essential Grammar in Use, Third Edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK
Swan, M. (2005) Practical English Usage, Oxford, England: Oxford University Press.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. S.v. “since.” Retrieved August 16, 2024, from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/since
The Britannica Dictionary S.v. “since.” Retrieved August 16, 2024 from https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/since
Wikipedia contributors, “Conjunction (grammar),” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Conjunction_(grammar)&oldid=1239053910 (accessed August 16, 2024).
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