since
/sɪns/ (bre, ipa) · /sɪns/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsin(t)s/ (ame, mw)
since — 副詞
1. starting at a point in the past and continuing up to the present moment or up to
此後；後來
從過去某時到現在，單獨使用
starting at a point in the past and continuing up to the present moment or up to a later time — used on its own, without a time expression following it
Élise quit her office job in 2021 and has been a freelance designer ever since.
Élise 三年前辭去辦公室工作，從那以後就一直當自由設計師。
ever since — emphasises continuous duration
The old cinema closed in 2018, and the building has stood empty since.
那間老電影院在 2018 年關閉，從那之後建築就一直空著。
Christopher moved to Kaohsiung in 2015; he has worked at the same clinic since.
Christopher 在 2015 年搬到高雄；從那以後他一直在同一間診所工作。
Amani hurt her back during the competition and has not been able to dance since.
Amani 在比賽期間傷了背，之後就再也無法跳舞了。
- afterward
refers to a later time but does not imply continuity to the present
- subsequently
more formal; describes sequence without emphasising an ongoing state
- beforehand
refers to a time earlier than a reference point
文法句型
has/have/had + past participle + since
ever since
用法筆記
Subject of the main clause is the same person or thing continuing from the past event. Frequently paired with 'ever' for emphasis ('ever since'). This adverb sense is always placed at the end of the clause, never before a time expression.
常見錯誤
since — 介系詞
1. followed by a specific time, date, or event to show that something started at th
自從
後面接特定時間／事件，表示起點
followed by a specific time, date, or event to show that something started at that point and is either still happening or was still happening at a later point
Mauricio has been teaching Spanish at the community college since last October.
Mauricio 從去年十月起就在社區大學教西班牙文。
since + [time phrase] — preposition pattern
The Tanaka family has lived in that house since 2012.
田中一家從 2012 年起就住在那棟房子裡。
Since the flood, the village has built a higher wall along the river.
自從洪水過後，村莊沿河修建了更高的圍牆。
Yara has not touched dairy products since her food allergy test.
Yara 從食物過敏檢查之後就再也沒碰過奶製品。
Since moving to the countryside, Indra has felt calmer and sleeps better at night.
自從搬到鄉下後，Indra 感覺更平靜，晚上也睡得更好。
- until
marks the end point rather than the starting point
文法句型
since + [time/date/year]
since + [event noun]
since + gerund
用法筆記
The time expression after 'since' must be a point in time (a date, a year, an event), not a length of time. The main clause typically uses a perfect tense (present perfect or past perfect). When 'since' starts the sentence, a comma follows the time phrase.
常見錯誤
since — 連接詞
1. for the reason that; used to introduce a clause that gives the cause or explanat
因為；既然
引導表示原因的從句
for the reason that; used to introduce a clause that gives the cause or explanation for an action, decision, or situation
Since the last bus had left, Joshua decided to share a taxi with two colleagues.
由於最後一班公車已經開走了，Joshua 決定和兩位同事一起搭計程車。
since + clause [reason] at sentence start
Haruto chose not to buy the apartment since the monthly fee was too high.
Haruto 決定不買那間公寓，因為每月的管理費比他預期的高。
Since you lost the library book, you should pay for the replacement.
既然你弄丟了圖書館的書，你應該支付賠償費用。
Maja decided to take the slower country road since the highway was closed for repairs.
Maja 決定走較慢的鄉間道路，因為高速公路正在封閉施工。
- because
stronger and more direct; better for formal or logical cause-effect statements
- as
similar in tone to causal 'since'; slightly more formal
- seeing that
informal; used when the reason is obvious from context
文法句型
since + clause [reason], + main clause
main clause + since + clause [reason]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (temporal conjunction): causal 'since' can always be replaced with 'because' or 'as' without changing the timing meaning. If the sentence refers to a duration continuing from a past point, the temporal sense is intended. Causal 'since' is common in both speech and writing but is slightly weaker and more indirect than 'because' — it often presents the reason as already known to the listener.
常見錯誤
2. introduces an event or situation in the past that marks the starting point from
自此
引導從句，表示起點事件
introduces an event or situation in the past that marks the starting point from which a continuous action or state has continued up to the present or up to a later time
Ravindra has felt much calmer since he started meditating every morning.
Ravindra 從開始每天早上冥想之後，感覺平靜了許多。
present perfect + since + past simple clause
The kids have not complained about dinner since their parents added a weekly menu choice.
自從父母增加了每週選菜單的選項後，孩子們再也沒抱怨過晚餐。
Arjun has kept a travel journal since he visited Japan for the first time in 2019.
Arjun 從 2019 年第一次去日本旅行以來，就一直有寫旅遊日記的習慣。
Since the professor changed her teaching style, attendance in the class has risen sharply.
自從教授改變教學風格後，課堂出席率大幅提升。
- from the time that
more formal and explicit; used in writing to avoid ambiguity
- after
similar but 'after' does not guarantee the situation continues ('I called her after I arrived' vs 'I have known her since I arrived')
文法句型
has/have + past participle + since + clause [past simple]
had + past participle + since + clause [past perfect]
用法筆記
The clause after 'since' usually uses the past simple (a completed past event). The main clause uses the present perfect if the situation continues to now, or the past perfect if the reference time is in the past. Distinguish from sense 1 (causal): if replacing 'since' with 'because' changes the meaning, this is the temporal sense.