“Since” is a versatile word that can be used as a preposition, conjunction, or adverb. Here are some synonyms and an analysis of their usage depending on the part of speech.
1. As a preposition (indicating a point in time from which something starts)
- From
- Meaning: “From” is used to show the starting point of a period of time, an action, or a range. For example, “From the moment I saw her, I knew she was special.” It emphasizes the origin or the beginning of a particular situation.
- Usage: Used in time expressions (from Monday to Friday), in descriptions of origins (from a small town), and in any context where the starting point of something is being specified.
- Starting from
- Meaning: “Starting from” is a more explicit way of indicating the beginning of a sequence, a process, or a time period. For example, “Starting from next month, we will have new working hours.” It gives a clear indication that a particular point is the start of a change or a progression.
- Usage: Used in plans and arrangements (starting from a certain date), in instructions (starting from step one), and in any context where the initiation of something is emphasized.
2. As a conjunction (introducing a reason or a cause)
- Because
- Meaning: “Because” is used to give the reason for something. For example, “I didn't go to the party because I was tired.” It directly links a cause and an effect, making it clear that one thing is the reason for the other.
- Usage: Used in explanations (because of the rain, the game was cancelled), in arguments (because he was late, he missed the train), and in any context where a causal relationship is being described.
- As
- Meaning: “As” can also be used to introduce a reason, although it's a bit more formal and can have other meanings as well. For example, “As it was getting late, we decided to leave.” It implies a connection between a situation and a resulting action, similar to “because,” but sometimes with a more sequential or concurrent sense.
- Usage: Used in more formal writing (as the evidence shows), in descriptions of concurrent events (as we walked, we talked), and in any context where a reason or a connection between events is being conveyed.
3. As an adverb (meaning from a particular time in the past until now)
- Ever since
- Meaning: “Ever since” emphasizes the continuity of a situation from a specific point in the past up to the present. For example, “Ever since I moved to this city, I have loved it.” It gives a sense of a long - lasting effect that began at a certain time and still holds.
- Usage: Used in personal narratives (ever since I started reading, I've been more informed), in descriptions of changes (ever since the new policy, things have improved), and in any context where a continuous effect from a past event is described.
- From then on
- Meaning: “From then on” means from a particular time in the past and continuing forward. For example, “From then on, he worked hard to achieve his goals.” It's a simple way to indicate a starting point in the past and the subsequent progression.
- Usage: Used in stories and biographies (from then on, her life changed), in historical accounts (from then on, the country developed), and in any context where a sequence of events starting from a past moment is being told.