# since

/ˈsɪns/ (US) · /sˈɪns/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Conjunction

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/since
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

used to give a reason for something. You use it when the person you are talking to already knows the facts you are mentioning.

For teachers: used to introduce a subordinate clause that provides a reason or explanation for the main clause. Often implies that the reason is already known to the listener or is a logical consequence of the situation.

## Examples

- Since it is raining, we should stay inside.
- Since the office is closed for the holiday, all staff members are working from home today.
- Since the initial data proved inconclusive, the research team decided to extend the study for another six months to ensure the results were statistically significant.

## Pitfalls

- Not "Since three years I live here." but "I have lived here for three years." — Learners often use 'since' to describe a duration of time; 'since' must refer to a specific starting point, while 'for' describes the length of time.

## Usage notes

- When used as a conjunction of reason, it typically appears at the beginning of a sentence or after a comma.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.