[Grammar] About "since"

[sandy1116]

I want to ask about "since". Sometimes I read sentences, I confused that "since" means "because" or "from then until now" . And when "since" can use "present perfect" or "past perfect"? thanks a lot

 

[sarat_106]

I want to ask about "since". Sometimes I read sentences, I confused that "since" means "because" or "from then until now" . And when "since" can use "present perfect" or "past perfect"? thanks a lot

Because, as, since are used as conjunction to introduce a clause that agree in implying a reason for an occurrence or action.
Because introduces a direct reason:
I was sleeping because I was tired.
As and since are used to state merely circumstances
As (or since) I was tired, I was sleeping.
‘since’ can also used as adverb and preposition but is generally used with a perfect tense in the main clause, toexpress an event from a particular time in the past until the present, or from a particular time in the past until a later time, or until now :as:
We've been waiting here since two o'clock.(Preposition)
It was exactly five years since her father had died (conjunction and perfect tense)
He lost his job five years ago, but has since found other work. (adverb and perfecr tense)

 

[Nightmare85]

I want to ask about "since". Sometimes I read sentences, I confused that "since" means "because" or "from then until now" . And when "since" can use "present perfect" or "past perfect"? thanks a lot

**Neither a teacher nor a native speaker.**

Good question :up:

Well, it depends on the tense.
Since we are friends I will help you. -> Because can be used
I'm going home since the party is over. -> Because can be used
It's a boring movie since there aren't any fights. -> Because can be used

I've been waiting for your since yesterday. -> Because cannot be used
It's been a while since we met. -> Because cannot be used
Since you've been gone everything has changed. -> Because cannot be used

Remember: The tense lets you know what kind of since it is.

Cheers!

 

[Raymott]

Remember: The tense lets you know what kind of since it is.

It's not quite as simple as that. Even the same sentence can mean either:
Since you left me, I've been lonely. ->
a. From the time you left me, I've been lonely.
b. Because you left me, I've been lonely.
The normal usage is a. But that doesn't make b. wrong.

 

[bertietheblue]

It's not quite as simple as that. Even the same sentence can mean either:
Since you left me, I've been lonely. ->
a. From the time you left me, I've been lonely.
b. Because you left me, I've been lonely.
The normal usage is a. But that doesn't make b. wrong. Well, it doesn't make it wrong in principle but I don't think anyone would understand this to mean b, would they?

Bertie

 

[Raymott]

Since you left me, I've been lonely. ->
a. From the time you left me, I've been lonely.
b. Because you left me, I've been lonely.
The normal usage is a. But that doesn't make b. wrong. Well, it doesn't make it wrong in principle but I don't think anyone would understand this to mean b, would they?

That might not be the best example. Maybe this is a better one:
"Since my husband lost his job, I've had to get work."

It would be easier to prove that the tense doesn't tell you the meaning by thinking of two different sentences in the same tense with the different meanings. But, of course, that's not necessary if one sentence can prove it.

If you support Nightmare's theory, perhaps you could elaborate by explaining which clause (the main or the subordinate 'since' clause) contains the index tense, and what that tense suggests about the meaning?