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since

/sɪns/
conjunctionprepositionadverb★Intermediate💡 from a past time until now
general

from a time in the past until now

She's been working here since last year.

This means she started working last year and continues to work now.

💡

Often used with perfect tenses (have/has been) to indicate an action that started in the past and continues.

general

because

Since you're here, let's have coffee.

This means 'because you're here, let's have coffee.'

💡

This meaning is more common in informal contexts.

general

from the time when

Since the weather is nice, let's go outside.

This means 'from the time when the weather is nice, let's go outside.'

💡

This meaning is less common and often interchangeable with 'because.'

Collocations

since whenused to express surprise or disbeliefsince thenfrom that time until now

Synonyms

fromasbecause

Antonyms

untilbefore

Related Phrases

since whenphrase
used to express surprise or disbelief
since thenphrase
from that time until now

💡Pro Tip

Time vs. Reason

Use 'since' to refer to time when it follows a time expression (e.g., 'since 2010'). Use it to refer to reason when it follows a clause (e.g., 'since you asked').

⚡Gold Rule

Perfect Tenses

'Since' is often used with perfect tenses (have/has been) to indicate an action that started in the past and continues to the present.

📖Word Origin

From Middle English 'sins', from Old English 'sīðþan', from Proto-Germanic '*sīþan' (after, since).

📝Usage Notes

The word 'since' can function as a conjunction, preposition, or adverb. Its meaning depends on the context and the tense of the verb it accompanies.

Word Breakdown

since
from a past time until now
root
English Dictionary

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