Since / From

Question

I would like to ask the use of "since" and "from" .....what is the basic difference between uses of the two ? Thanks

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

sandy sandyjr.what is the basic difference between uses of the two ?

I know of no 'basic difference', sorry. They are of course synonymous when used as prepositions of time, but each no doubt has some idiomatic abilities. If you have a particular sentence that worries you, we can look at it for you.

Sandy sandyjr · Answer

So nice of you. Thanks sir !
I have two assumptions regarding since / from use. I just want to check that my assumptions are right or wrong.

1. It was my assumption that since is used when speaker don't know specific time.

for example ...."I have been working on this post since 2008." It means I don't know exact date, on which date in 2008 I joined the job.

But suppose if I have specific date then should I write like this ......I have been working on this post since 1 July 2008.....Or I should use from.

2. Also it is my second assumption that when I use since it means that right now I am not on that job; on the contrary when i use from it means that i am still on the same job and will be on same job in future too.
for example ...."I have been working on this post since 2008." (means right now I am not on that post I left it or i got another post) ...and "I have been working on this post from 2008." ( means right now i am on same post and in future too i will be on same post)

so I was worried about my assumptions are right or wrong. I am student of law and in 'Interpretation of statutes' these miner meanings are so important.

Cool Breeze · Answer

Any online dictionary would have answered your question. These definitions are from Random House Unabridged Dictionary:

since (sins), adv.
1. from then till now (often prec. by ever): He was elected in 1978 and has been president ever since.
2. between a particular past time and the present; subsequently: She at first refused, but has since consented.
3. ago; before now: long since.
–prep.
4. continuously from or counting from: It has been warm since noon.
5. between a past time or event and the present: There have been many changes since the war.
–conj.
6. in the period following the time when: He has written once since he left.
7. continuously from or counting from the time when: He has been busy since he came.
8. because; inasmuch as: Since you're already here, you might as well stay.

from, prep.
1. (used to specify a starting point in spatial movement): a train running west from Chicago.
2. (used to specify a starting point in an expression of limits): The number of stores will be increased from 25 to 30.
3. (used to express removal or separation, as in space, time, or order): two miles from shore; 30 minutes from now; from one page to the next.
4. (used to express discrimination or distinction): to be excluded from membership; to differ from one's father.
5. (used to indicate source or origin): to come from the Midwest; to take a pencil from one's pocket.
6. (used to indicate agent or instrumentality): death from starvation.
7. (used to indicate cause or reason): From the evidence, he must be guilty.

CB

Mister Micawber · Answer

sandy sandyjr1. It was my assumption that since is used when speaker don't know specific time.for example ...."I have been working on this post since 2008." It means I don't know exact date, on which date in 2008 I joined the job.

That is a wrong assumption, Sandy. You are confusing grammar with reality. In grammar, '2008' is just as exact as '1 July 2008'.

sandy sandyjr2. Also it is my second assumption that when I use since it means that right now I am not on that job; on the contrary when i use from it means that i am still on the same job and will be on same job in future too.

Unfortunately, that is a wrong assumption, too.

sandy sandyjr"I have been working on this post since 2008."...and "I have been working on this post from 2008."

Both of those sentences intimate that you are still on the job now (but they say nothing about the future.

What you are facing in your sentence is a right use of 'since' and a wrong (or informal) use of 'from'. As you can see from the definitions that CB posted, 'from' is not properly used in that structure at all; only 'since' is ('5. between a past time or event and the present: There have been many changes since the war.) No such meaning is listed for 'from'.

It is true that many say ' (X) I have been working on this post from 2008', but in careful writing you should use 'since'. The meanings or intents, nevertheless, are the same.

Sandy sandyjr · Answer

Thanks sir for such a detail explanation. I got it now. <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

Since / From

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