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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Since Usage, Meaning & Examples in English (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：from a past time (since)

since 🔊

/sɪns/

conj.

From a particular time in the past until the present or another time.

Since timeline illustration from past date to present

from a past time 🔊

➕

/frʌm ə pæst taɪm/

conj.

Used to indicate a starting point in time that continues to the present or to another point in time.

📁 Category：Time & Dates 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'siþþan' (siþ 'after' + þan 'that'), meaning 'after that'.

💡 Mnemonic

Since = See + ins (inside time): see inside the timeline from past to now.

📖 Example

I've been learning English since I was in primary school. 🔊 I have been studying English ever since my primary school years.

🔗 Collocations

ever since – continuously from a past time until now

since then – from that time onward

since when – from what time (used in questions)

🔄 Synonyms

after (conj.) – refers to a later point in time, not necessarily continuing to present

when (conj.) – refers to a specific point in time, not a duration

from the time that (conj.) – a phrase equivalent to since in temporal sense

🚫 Antonyms

until (conj./prep.) – indicates up to a point, opposite of starting point

before (conj./prep.) – earlier than a point, not continuing forward

📖 Cultural Story

Since evolved from Old English 'siþþan' via Middle English 'syns'. It developed both temporal ('after that') and causal ('because') meanings by the 14th century.

Meaning 2：because (since)

since 🔊

/sɪns/

conj.

For the reason that; because. Often used when the reason is known or obvious.

because 🔊

➕

/bɪˈkɔːz/

conj.

Used to introduce a reason or explanation, especially when the reason is already known or obvious.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Since it's raining heavily, we should probably cancel our picnic. 🔊 Because there is heavy rain, it would be wise to call off the picnic.

🔗 Collocations

especially since – particularly because

since ... then – used to show cause and effect

not since – not because (rare)

🔄 Synonyms

because (conj.) – directly introduces a reason, similar to since

as (conj.) – introduces a reason, often more formal or logical

for (conj.) – introduces a reason, often giving additional explanation

🚫 Antonyms

although (conj.) – introduces a contrast rather than a reason

despite (prep.) – in spite of, opposite of reason