The preposition since has several meanings and can be used in various contexts.
Here are the main meanings of since with examples for each:
Time-related meaning -
Point in time:
Since can indicate a specific point in time when an action began or an event occurred.
Example: I have been working at this company since 2010.
Time-related meaning –
Duration:
Since can be used to show the duration of an action or event that started in the past and continues into the present.
Example: She has been studying English since her childhood.
Time-related meaning –
From a past
point until now:
Since can indicate a starting point in the past that continues up to the present.
Example: He has lived in this city since his graduation from college.
Reason or Cause:
Since can be used to introduce a reason or cause for something.
Example: Since the heavy raining, we should stay indoors.
Because of
the fact that:
Since can also be used as a synonym for because of
Example: I couldn't attend the meeting since a doctor's appointment.
In the intervening period
from then until now:
Since can be used to refer to the time that has passed between two points in the past and the present.
Example: Since our last meeting, a lot has changed.
Considering that:
Since can be used to introduce a statement that takes into account information that has been previously mentioned or is known.
Example: Since your experience in marketing, you can lead the advertising campaign.
After the time
when:
In some contexts, since can be used to mean after.
Example: They've been friends since kindergarten, but they drifted apart after high school.
It's important to note that the meaning of since in a sentence can often be determined by the context in which it is used.
The word since can also be used as an adverb in some contexts, typically to convey a sense of time or because of a previous action.
Here are examples of since used as an adverb:
Subsequently or from
that time forward:
She left the company, and since, her career has flourished.
In this example, since is used as an adverb to indicate that her career started flourishing after she left the company.
Continuously from a specified
time in the past:
He went to the gym last year. He has been exercising regularly since.
Here, since as an adverb emphasizes the continuous nature of his exercise regimen since the specified time (last year).
In the intervening period
from a previous reference point:
I saw her a year ago, and I haven't seen her since.
In this case, since as an adverb highlights the time that has passed between the initial meeting (a year ago) and the present.
For this reason;
therefore:
He wanted to learn a new language, and since he had a passion for French culture, he chose to study French.
In this sentence, since is used as an adverb to indicate the reason or motivation behind his choice to study French.
In the time following an
event or action:
She worked tirelessly on the project and has since received recognition for her efforts.
Since here emphasizes the time that has passed following her hard work on the project and her subsequent recognition.
In these examples, since as an adverb provides additional information about time, causality, or continuity in the sentence.
Since can also function as a conjunction when used to introduce subordinate clauses. When since is used as a conjunction, it typically indicates a cause-and-effect relationship between the main clause and the subordinate clause.
Here are examples of since used as a conjunction:
Cause and effect:
Since he had studied diligently, he aced the exam.
Since it was raining, we decided to stay indoors.
Since she was feeling unwell, she didn't attend the party.
In these examples, since introduces a reason or cause in the subordinate clause that explains or justifies the action or situation in the main clause.
Time-related cause
and effect:
Since I arrived early, I managed to get a good seat.
Since they left late, they missed the opening ceremony.
Since we started this project, a lot has changed.
Here, since is used to show a cause-and-effect relationship related to time, explaining why something happened or how it affected the main clause.
Conditional cause
and effect:
Since you're not feeling well, you should see a doctor.
Since it's your birthday, I'll bake you a cake.
Since they completed the assignment, they can go home early.
In these cases, since introduces a condition (in the subordinate clause) that leads to a particular action or consequence in the main clause.
Contrast or concession
(less common):
Since you don't like spicy food, I'll make a mild version of the curry.
Since she couldn't attend the conference, she watched it online.
Since they had no other choice, they agreed to the terms.
Occasionally, since can also introduce a contrast or concession, indicating an unexpected or contrary situation.
When since is used as a conjunction, it serves to connect the main clause and the subordinate clause, showing the relationship between the two clauses, whether it's causality, time, condition, or contrast.
Preposition – “Since”
Prepositions – “Round” and Around”
Preposition – “Over”
Preposition – “Inside”
Preposition – “In”
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