What is since? Pronunciation and usage in English

since means . Learn how to pronounce and use since through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of since

sincepreposition

/sɪns/
Definition & pronunciation of since

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "since" in English. It can be a tricky one for non-native speakers! Here's a breakdown:

The Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • sɪns (like "sin" - as in, a sin)
    • "sɪ" – This part sounds like the "s" in "sit" or the "si" in "sister." It’s a short, quick sound.
    • "ns" – The "n" sound is relatively clear, and the "s" is lightly pronounced – almost blending into the "n."

The Pronunciation in British English:

  • saɪns (sounds very similar to the American pronunciation, but the "s" is sometimes a bit softer and less emphasized)

Tips for Getting It Right:

  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable ("sɪ").
  • Don’t overemphasize the "s": The "s" isn't a strong, distinct sound like it is in some other words. It blends into the vowel.
  • Listen to native speakers: This is the BEST way to learn. Here are some resources:
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/since/ - This website lets you hear native speakers pronounce the word from different regions.
    • Google Search: Search "how to pronounce since" on Google and you'll find many audio examples.
    • YouTube: Many pronunciation guides are available on YouTube.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you learning English? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Australia, etc.) Regional accents can slightly affect pronunciation.

Usage and examples with the word since in English

Let's break down how to use the word "since" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with a few different roles! Here's a breakdown of its main uses, with examples:

1. Indicating a Time Period (Most Common)

  • Function: “Since” is used to show that something has been happening from a specific point in the past until now. It indicates a duration.
  • Structure: since + point in time
  • Examples:
    • “I’ve lived in London since 2010.” (Meaning you started living there in 2010 and you still live there now.)
    • “She hasn’t called me since last week.” (Meaning she hasn’t called you starting from last week up to the present.)
    • “We’ve been friends since kindergarten.” (You’ve been friends from kindergarten to now.)
    • “The company has been growing since they introduced the new product.” (Growth started at the time of the product introduction and continues.)

2. Indicating a Reason (Cause/Explanation)

  • Function: “Since” can introduce a reason or explanation for something. It's similar in meaning to "because."
  • Structure: since + subject + verb
  • Examples:
    • “Since it’s raining, we’ll stay inside.” (The reason for staying inside is the rain.)
    • “Since you’re already here, why don't you help me?” (The reason for asking them to help is that they're already present.)
    • "Since you finished your work, you can go home." (The reason for being able to go home is that the work is completed.)

3. Connecting Clauses (Often with "that")

  • Function: “Since” can connect two clauses, indicating a reason or explanation. It’s often followed by "that."
  • Structure: since + subject + verb + that + clause
  • Examples:
    • “Since he was tired, that he went to bed early.” (He went to bed early because he was tired) – This is a slightly more formal way of saying “Because he was tired, he went to bed early.”
    • "Since it was late, that we decided to leave.” (We left because it was late.)

Key Differences and Nuances:

  • “Since” vs. “Because”: Both indicate reason, but “since” emphasizes a starting point in time, while "because" simply states a cause.

    • Example: "I'm happy since I got the job." (implies this happiness started when you got the job)
    • Example: "I'm happy because I got the job." (simply states the reason for your happiness)

  • “Since” vs. “As”: “As” can also be used to indicate a time period or a reason, but it's more versatile and often used with gerunds (verbs acting as nouns – like “eating,” “working”).

    • Example (time): “As you’re leaving, can you take the package?”
    • Example (reason - gerund): “As you know, we’ve been working on this project for months."

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Using “since” to start a sentence without a time reference: Incorrect: “Since I was young…” Correct: “I’ve always loved music.” (Use “Since” with a specific time.)

  • Confusing "since" with “because of": This is a common error. "Since" indicates the reason, not that something happened due to something else.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you struggling with a specific type of sentence using "since"?
  • Can you give me an example sentence you're unsure about?

Synonyms for the word since

Practice with vocabulary since

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The department has seen a significant increase in applications ______ the new recruitment campaign launched last quarter.
  2. ______ the budget constraints are quite strict this quarter, we need to prioritize essential expenditures.
  3. The company has been planning this major expansion project ______ over two years.
  4. The system experienced a temporary outage ______ an unexpected power surge during the maintenance window.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Our organization has maintained a remote work policy ______ the beginning of the pandemic. A) for B) since C) during D) until

  2. ______ the new software update is mandatory, all employees must install it by Friday. A) As B) Since C) Because D) Due to

  3. The project manager has been reviewing the architectural blueprints ______ early this morning to ensure accuracy. A) for B) since C) over D) throughout

  4. The training module is designed to cover advanced topics ______ a four-hour session. A) for B) since C) during D) throughout

  5. The increased operational costs were largely ______ a sudden rise in raw material prices. A) since B) owing to C) because D) as

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The research team began collecting data in January, and they are still gathering information for the study. Rewrite using "since":

  2. Original: We decided to postpone the quarterly review meeting because several key stakeholders had scheduling conflicts. Rewrite using "since":

  3. Original: The project’s success depends entirely on effective team collaboration. Rewrite (do not use "since", use a suitable replacement):

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. since
  2. Since
  3. for
  4. due to (or because of)

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. B) since
  2. A) As, B) Since, C) Because
  3. B) since
  4. C) during, D) throughout
  5. B) owing to

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The research team has been collecting data since January for the study.
  2. Since several key stakeholders had scheduling conflicts, we decided to postpone the quarterly review meeting.
  3. The project’s success is contingent upon effective team collaboration. (Other possible answers: The project's success is reliant on effective team collaboration. / The project's success hinges on effective team collaboration.)

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