[Grammar] the meaning of 'since'

[Heidi]

Dear friends,

Please help me with the following questions. Thanks!

'My English has become much better since I've started spending so much time here at the library.'

Is there any mistakes in this sentence? Does the word 'since' mean 'because' here?

 

[probus]

Is there any mistakes in this sentence? Does the word 'since' mean 'because' here?

In my opinion there are no mistakes in your sentence. I would have said "since I started" but "I've" is perfectly correct.

I habitually (and lazily) use "since" to mean "because", but in your sentence I would interpret "since I've started" as "beginning from the time I started."

 

[Heidi]

Are there any mistakes in this sentence? Does the word 'since' mean 'because' here?

In my opinion there are no mistakes in your sentence. I would have said "since I started" but "I've" is perfectly correct.

I habitually (and lazily) use "since" to mean "because", but in your sentence I would interpret "since I've started" as "beginning from the time I started."

Thank you, probus.

 

[5jj]

I habitually (and lazily) use "since" to mean "because",

That's not lazy. One of the possible meanings of since is as/because:

Since you you've finished the report, you can leave early.

This meaning is unlikely is Heidi's sentence.

 

[xpert]

'My English has become much better since I've started spending so much time here at the library.' :tick:

 

[5jj]

'My English has become much better since I've started spending so much time here at the library.' :tick:

Like probus, I would say, "since I started". I agree with probus: both are fine.