Lesson Eighteen

since

"Since" is similar to "when." This word identifies a particular time or starting point. You can also use "since" as a substitute for the word "because."

examples

 1. She’s been taking a lot of photographs since she got her new camera.

Since she got her new camera, she’s been taking a lot of photographs.

photographer

 2. They’ve been very happy since they found out that they are going to have a baby together.

couple expecting

 3. Russell has felt more confident since learning how to do karate.

karate

 4. East and West Germany have been united since 1990.

(in this example, "since" is used as a preposition, similar to "for." You could also say, "East and West Germany have been united for 19 years," but "since" is often more useful because it identifies an exact date.)

german flag
 5. Women have made great gains in social, political, and economic freedom since the Victorian times of the 1800s.

Victorian woman

 6. Since joining a health club, he’s lost a lot of weight.
exercising
 7. I’ve been feeling better since I started to take this new medication.
medicine
You can also use the word "since" as a subordinating conjunction. In this case, it’s similar to the word "because." The video below explains:

 

Next: Lesson Nineteen

while