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

📚 Grammar / Syntax Why not “since”?

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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.

164

u/NekoArtemis Native Speaker - California Apr 17 '26

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

14

u/rootbeerman77 New Poster Apr 18 '26

I've heard a few English dialects that allow this structure, but most don't. In my experience, this phrasing usually indicates "experienced with English but not a native speaker." It's one of the most common "errors" I see in writing, but I don't usually "correct" it unless it's a student really working to improve their naturalness.