What is difference between from and since
by Yogi P - October 25, 2023
Difference between from and since
The English language can be tricky to navigate, and even simple words like from and since are often used interchangeably, resulting in confusion. In this article, we’ll discuss the meanings and usages of both words, providing examples to illustrate their correct usage.
From can be defined as a preposition and is often used to refer to the starting point of an action or event. For example, “She left from the restaurant at 8 o’clock” or “The package arrived from London.” It can also be used to express the purpose of something or someone, as in “I bought this dress from the mall.”
Additionally, it is used to denote the source or cause of something, for example, “He got the ticket from his friend.”
Since is a conjunction used to refer to a point in time, as in “I have been working here since 2018.” It also expresses a cause or reason, such as “I have been living alone since my husband died.”
Here is a summarised table of the differences between from and since:
| Word | From | Since |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Denotes the starting point of an action or event, the source/cause of something, or the purpose of something or someone. | Expresses a point in time or the cause/reason of something. |
| Usage | Preposition | Conjunction |
| Examples | She left from the restaurant at 8 o’clock, I got the ticket from my brother. | I have been living here since 2018, I have been alone since my husband died. |
At first glance, the words from and since may appear to be interchangeable, but they are distinct in terms of their meanings and usages. While from refers to the starting point of an action or event, the source/cause of something, or the purpose of something or someone, since expresses a point in time or the cause or reason for something. Additionally, from is a preposition while since is a conjunction.
To help you practice using these words accurately, here are a few examples of correctly-used sentences:
- I have been living in this town from the day I was born.
- I have been living alone since my husband passed away.
- I got the ticket from my brother.
- I have been working here since last summer.
- This is the package I bought from the store.
Overview of differences between from and since
| Aspect | From | Since |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | “From” is used to indicate the starting point or origin of a specific time or range. | “Since” is used to indicate the starting point of an action or a specific time, emphasizing its continuity from that point. |
| Usage | It is often used with specific dates, times, or points in time. | It is typically used with a specific point in time, date, or an event. |
| Examples | – I will be on vacation from July 1st to July 15th. (indicating a specific date range) – She works from 9 AM to 5 PM. (indicating a time range) | – I have known her since 2010. (indicating the starting point of a continuous relationship) – He has been a vegetarian since last year. (indicating a specific point in time when he became a vegetarian) |
| Emphasis | “From” emphasizes the entire range or period from the starting point. | “Since” emphasizes the continuity of an action or state from the specified starting point. |
| Continuous Action | It does not necessarily imply a continuous action or state. | It often implies a continuous action or state that started at the specified point and continues into the present or a specified time. |
| Past vs. Present Emphasis | It is more commonly used to refer to both past and future time frames. | It often focuses on actions or states that started in the past and continue into the present or a specified time. |
To better understand the usages of these two words, try taking some simple sentences and replacing one of the words with the other. For instance, in the sentence “I have been living in this town from the day I was born”, replace from with since to get “I have been living in this town since the day I was born.” Alternatively, try rearranging the sentence to “I have been living in this town since the day I was born” and replacing since with from for a similar sentence.
Conclusion
Ultimately, it is essential to know the distinct meanings and usages of both words in order to properly employ them in your writing. On the surface, they may seem similar, but making the effort to understand the nuances of from and since will help improve your writing and ensure the accuracy of your statements.
