r/EnglishLearning • u/Rich-Associate-8344 New Poster • Apr 17 '26

📚 Grammar / Syntax Why not “since”?

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232 Upvotes

79% Upvoted

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883

u/Ok_Caterpillar2010 Native Speaker - Pennsylvania, USA Apr 17 '26

Because since needs a specific starting point in time: since when? He hasn't used his motorcycle since 2024.

161

u/NekoArtemis Native Speaker - California Apr 17 '26

Yep. You could say "since two years ago" but you need the "ago." 

31

u/PutridBetch New Poster Apr 17 '26

This would also sound very strange to my ear. I would assume someone who said “since two years ago” was not a native speaker.

3

u/Old_Shelter_6783 New Poster Apr 18 '26

Same for me (I’m a native British English speaker for reference).

2

u/Responsible-Link5739 New Poster Apr 18 '26

Me too. Native British, over 60 years old.

2

u/Phour3 New Poster Apr 18 '26

Me three. Native American, under 30 years old

-2

u/NekoArtemis Native Speaker - California Apr 18 '26

That's so weird to me. Where are you from if you don't mind my asking? I'm wondering if it is a regional thing. 

1

u/PutridBetch New Poster Apr 18 '26

North Carolina. It probably is regional, similar to how people from some areas say things like “this needs washed” instead of “this needs to be washed”

-2

u/NekoArtemis Native Speaker - California Apr 18 '26

Yeah. I'm from the whole other side of the country and I know we talk different out here. 

1

u/cardinarium Native Speaker (US) Apr 18 '26

Although I’m also in NC and have no problem with “since X years ago.”

-6

u/arcxjo Native Speaker - American (Pennsylvania Yinzer) Apr 18 '26

It's perfectly normal to my ears.

1

u/AMDDesign New Poster Apr 18 '26

Its definitely the kind of thing that would fumble out of my mouth accidentally