since

I have not seen him since he moved away.

Definition

1. Preposition:

   • From a specified time in the past until now: "since" indicates a continuous period starting at a particular point in the past and extending to the present.
   • Example: He has been working here since 1967. (Starting from 1967 and continuing to now.)

2. Conjunction:

   • From the time when: "since" introduces a clause that marks the beginning of a period that continues to the present.
   • Example: We have not seen him since he married. (From the time of his marriage until now.)
   • Because; for the reason that: "since" can also indicate a cause or reason, often in a more formal or explanatory tone.
   • Example: Since there is no more to be said, the meeting ends. (Because there is nothing left to discuss.)

3. Adverb:

   • At a time in the past; ago: "since" can refer to a point in time before now.
   • Example: I saw him not long since. (I saw him not long ago.)
   • From then until now: "since" can mean "from that time onward."
   • Example: I have not seen him since. (From that time until now, I have not seen him.)

Usage Examples

• Preposition:

  • She has lived in London since 2010. (From 2010 to the present.)
  • The store has been closed since last Tuesday. (From last Tuesday until now.)

• Conjunction:

  • Since you arrived, we have been busy. (From the time you arrived until now.)
  • Since it is raining, we will stay inside. (Because it is raining, we will remain indoors.)

• Adverb:

  • He left home in 1995 and has not returned since. (From 1995 until now.)
  • The event happened many years since. (The event happened many years ago.)

Advanced Usage

• "ever since": continuously from that time to the present.
  • I have been his friend ever since. (From that time until now, I have remained his friend.)
• "since when": used to express surprise or disbelief about a change.
  • Since when do you like classical music? (From what time have you liked classical music? — implying the change is unexpected.)

Variants and Related Words

• Since (no direct variants): "since" is a standalone word with no common derived forms. Related words include "hence" (from this time) and "thence" (from that time), but these are more formal or archaic.

Synonyms

• From (the time of): used as a preposition to indicate a starting point.
  • He has worked here from 1967. (Similar to "since," but "from" can be used with a specific point without implying continuity to the present.)
• Because: used as a conjunction to give a reason.
  • Because there is no more to be said, the meeting ends. (A direct cause, less formal than "since.")
• Ago: used as an adverb to indicate a past time.
  • I saw him not long ago. (Equivalent to "not long since," but "ago" is more common in modern English.)

Related Idioms

• "since time immemorial": from a time in the distant past beyond memory or record.
  • This tradition has existed since time immemorial. (For as long as anyone can remember.)
• "since the dawn of time": from the very beginning of history or existence.
  • Humans have told stories since the dawn of time. (From the earliest times.)