Since vs Sense While these two words may seem similar, they serve different purposes in language and can easily be confused. Since is often used to refer to a starting point of time or to explain cause and effect, while sense deals with perception, intuition, and understanding.
The distinction between the two can be tricky, but it’s essential for clear communication. Whether you’re talking about a duration of time or expressing your mental clarity and logical reasoning, knowing when to use since and when to use sense can significantly improve your grammar and writing. In this post, we’ll break down the differences and provide helpful examples.
Quick Summary
The words since vs sense serve different purposes in language. Since is often used to refer to time or cause, while sense refers to perception, intuition, and understanding.
Though they may appear similar, their roles in a sentence are distinct. When using since, you’re usually talking about a starting point of an event or duration of time.
With sense, you’re addressing how something is perceived, felt, or understood, whether physically or mentally. Let’s explore their differences further.
Understanding Since vs Sense
When comparing since vs sense, it’s important to see how each word fits into syntax and sentence structure. Since is mainly used in two ways: to indicate a starting point of an event or to explain the cause of something.
For instance, “I’ve known him since 2010” refers to the duration of time, while “Since you’re tired, you should rest” explains a cause and effect relationship.In contrast, sense is used to describe perception or understanding.
It often refers to the physical senses like touch, sight, or smell or to mental understanding. For example, “I can sense something is wrong” refers to an emotional perception, while “This doesn’t make any sense” refers to logical reasoning.
Origins of the Since
The word originates from the Old English sinnan, meaning “to follow” or “to be after.” Over the centuries, it evolved to refer to both temporal markers and cause-and effect relationships.
In modern usage, since marks the starting point of an event or expresses duration. For example, “I’ve been living here since 2018.”In addition to time, since can also introduce logical reasoning.
“Since you’re early, we can go for coffee” explains why something should happen, adding a causal link between two actions. Its evolution in syntax and sentence construction has made it a common word in daily communication.
Origins of the Sense
The word sense comes from the Latin word sensus, meaning “feeling” or “perception.” It initially referred to the five physical senses (sight, smell, touch, hearing, and taste), but over time, it expanded to include mental perception and understanding.
Today, we use sense to talk about both physical and emotional perceptions. For example, “I have a strong sense of direction” refers to a mental ability, while “My sense of hearing is sharper than most” refers to a physical perception.
The growth of sense as a term reflects both its semantic analysis and contextual embeddings in language. It now helps us discuss everything from intuition to cognitive understanding.
Since: Definition and Usage
Since is primarily used to refer to a point in time or cause. It marks the beginning of an event or shows the duration of time. For example, “She’s been working here since 2015” uses since to mark the starting time of her employment. Another use of since is to express reason or cause, like in, “Since it’s raining, we should stay inside.”
Since Usage
When since is used in sentences, it can serve as a temporal adverb or a causal conjunction. In time reference, it shows when something started, as in “We’ve been friends since high school.” It can also explain reason, as in “Since I’m tired, I’ll go to bed early.”
Sense: Definition and Usage
Sense refers to both physical sensation and mental perception. It can describe the ability to perceive the world through the senses (like hearing or seeing) or refer to your understanding or logical reasoning. For example, “She has a keen sense of smell,” or “That idea doesn’t make any sense to me.”
Sense Usage
When used as a noun, sense can refer to perception (like sight or smell) or mental clarity. For instance, “He has a good sense of humor” or “I can sense that something is off.” As a verb, sense means to detect something or have a feeling about it, like “I can sense her excitement.”
Since vs Sense: Grammar
When it comes to grammar, the difference between since and sense is essential for clear communication. Since is mostly used to talk about time or cause, like in “I’ve known her since 2010” (time) or “Since it’s raining, we should stay inside” (reason).
It’s a word that helps us mark when something started or explain why something happens.
On the other hand, sense is used to talk about perception, intuition, or understanding.
For instance, “I can sense that something’s wrong” refers to a gut feeling, and “This doesn’t make any sense to me” refers to something being illogical. So, while since focuses on time references or causal relationships, sense deals with your ability to perceive or understand things.
As a Conjunction, Preposition, and Adverb:
As a conjunction, since can link two clauses together, showing either time or cause. For instance, “I’ve been waiting here since 8 AM” shows time reference, while “Since it’s cold, I’ll wear a jacket” expresses cause and effect.
Since as a Preposition
When since acts as a preposition, it often connects time-related ideas. For example, “I’ve lived here since 2019” connects the starting point of an event to the present.
Since as an Adverb
As an adverb, since marks a period of time that has passed from a certain point. For example, “I haven’t seen her since yesterday.”
Sense as a Noun
As a noun, sense refers to the ability to perceive or understand things. You can talk about your physical senses like sight and hearing, or about your emotional and cognitive understanding. For example, “His sense of direction is incredible” or “That doesn’t make any sense.”
Sense as a Verb
When used as a verb, sense refers to the act of perceiving or detecting something, often without direct evidence. For example, “I can sense her nervousness” or “He sensed a change in the atmosphere.”
“Since” as a Time Traveler (or Reason Giver)
When you use since, you’re either referring to time or explaining a cause. Since helps identify the starting point of an event or duration of time, as in “I’ve been here since 9 AM.” It also connects ideas based on reason: “Since it’s raining, I’ll bring an umbrella.”
“Sense” as Your Internal Compass
Sense deals with perception, intuition, and understanding. It can refer to physical sensations, like sight and smell, or to mental processes, like reasoning. For example, “I have a strong sense of direction” or “It doesn’t make any sense to me.”
Putting it into Practice: Makes Sense or Since?
When you’re deciding whether to use since or sense, it often comes down to the context of your sentence. Let’s break it down with some simple examples to help you spot the difference easily.
If you’re talking about time or explaining why something happens, you’ll use since. For example, “I’ve known her since 2010” is referring to a starting point of time. Similarly, “Since it’s raining, we should stay inside” shows a cause and effect relationship.
On the other hand, when you’re referring to your perception, intuition, or understanding, you’ll use sense. For example, “I can sense something isn’t right” talks about a feeling or a gut instinct. Similarly, “That doesn’t make any sense” refers to logical reasoning—or the lack of it.
By paying attention to whether you’re discussing time (use since) or perception/understanding (use sense), you can make your sentence flow naturally and sound more accurate. Try practicing with both words, and soon enough, you’ll feel confident about using them in the right way.
Since (Time and Reason)
When using since, you’re either referring to the starting point of time or explaining why something happens. For example, “We’ve been married since 2010” marks a specific point in time, and “Since you’re here, we can start the meeting” gives a reason for an action.
Sense (Understandings and Feelings)
In contrast, sense refers to your mental perception or physical awareness. For example, “I can sense something’s wrong” refers to a feeling, and “That doesn’t make sense” shows logical reasoning.
Words You Can Use in Place of “Since” and “Sense”
You can replace since with other words depending on the context. For time references, words like from, after, or starting can be used. For causal reasons, because or as are good substitutes.
Sense
For sense, you might use words like perception, awareness, understanding, or feeling. These words emphasize the act of mental processing or perception of reality.
Side by Side Comparison
Here’s a quick comparison of how since and sense are used in sentences:
| Word | Conjunction | Preposition | Noun | Verb |
| Since | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Sense | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Everyday Usage Examples
Since Examples
- I’ve known him since high school.
- I haven’t eaten since breakfast.
- We’ve been friends since childhood.
- She moved here since last year.
- I’ve been working here since March.
- We’ve lived in this house since 2015.
- He’s been my partner since 2012.
- It’s been two hours since the meeting started.
- She hasn’t answered the phone since noon.
- I started playing football since I was 10.
Sense Examples
- I can sense the tension in the room.
- That doesn’t make any sense to me.
- She has a good sense of humor.
- I can sense that he’s upset.
- Do you have a sense of direction?
- I don’t sense any danger.
- I could sense her nervousness.
- He has a great sense of style.
- I can’t sense anything unusual.
- It doesn’t sense to leave now.
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FAQs:
Since vs because?
Since and because both explain reasons, but since often relates to time, while because is used purely for cause.
It makes since or sense?
It should be “It makes sense”, not “since.”
Where do we use since?
Use since to indicate a starting point in time or to explain reason, like “I’ve lived here since 2015.”
Is since a conjunction?
Yes, since can be used as a conjunction to show time or cause, like in “Since it’s raining, we’ll stay inside
When should I use sense?
Use sense when discussing your perception, intuition, or logical understanding, such as “That doesn’t make any sense.”
Conclusion
Since vs Sense is crucial for clear communication. While since refers to time or cause and effect, sense deals with perception and understanding.
Using the correct word in the right context helps avoid confusion and enhances the clarity of your message.
By practicing these distinctions, you can improve both your spoken and written English. Remember, since relates to a starting point of time, while sense refers to your intuition or mental clarity.
