(Mr. Maru is calling Sparky)

Sparky: This is Sparky at EnglishSpark.com

Mr. Maru: Sparky! You are not home. When are you coming home?

Sparky: I'm not sure.

Mr. Maru: You sound tired Sparky. How long have you been working?

Sparky: I've been working from 6 am.

Mr. Maru: Wow! 6 am! That's amazing.

Sparky: Yeah, but I'll be home since 8 pm after I get this report done.

Mr. Maru: Mmm, ok. I guess I'll see you at 8:30 for poker. Talk to you then.

Sparky: See you.

How do you use from and since? These words can be confusing and difficult. There are no easy rules. But don't get stumped! Teacher Stumpers will help you understand.

How to use from

The word 'from' can be used in a many ways. Today, we are going to talk about how to use it with time. The word 'from' can be used to talk about a period of time. When we talk about a period of time we use 'to', 'until' or 'till.' For example,

He worked from 6am until 9pm every day.
Jenny watched TV from 10pm till she went to bed.

We can also use it with the words 'onwards' or 'on.' For example,

She will be here from the 16th onwards.
The carpenter was here from 6am on.

We also usually use it with the 'be' verb:

The store was open from 6 in the morning.
I'm going to be in Tokyo from the 8^th of August.

How to use since

The word 'since' can be used in other ways with time. It can also be used to talk about a period of time, but it is used in different circumstances. It is usually used with the present perfect continuous (or progressive) tense:

I've been doing homework since 8! I want to go to bed.
I had been studying since 6 when I decided to go to bed.

You can also use it for 'state' verbs (hate, like, love, want, feel, etc...). For example,

I've hated her since high school. She was always taking my pencils.
I've felt cold since you turned on the air conditioner.

How to use from and since

The words 'from' and 'since' can both be used in some expressions. These expressions usually mean 'from the very beginning'. For example,

Since/From the moment she moved next door, he was in love.
Since/From the second he pushed the button, he heard the sound.

We can use the words 'from' or 'since' in many expressions like this:

Since/From the moment... Since/From the dawn of ...
Since/From the second... Since/From the beginning of ...
Since/From the start of ... Since/From the minute ...

We can also use it with more general time periods:

Since/From his childhood... Since/From her youth...
Since/From his teenage years ... Since/From college ...

Be careful! Sometimes 'from' can have a different meaning:

This song is from the 60s. (It was recorded in the 1960s.)

From and Since quiz

1) I've been brushing my teeth every day _____ I was 3.

A) from

B) since

C) from or since

2) _____ the minute I saw the movie preview, I wanted to watch the movie.

A) From

B) Since

C) From or Since

3) I've been working ____ 8 until 9 every day.

A) from

B) since

C) from or since

Answers

1. B) since - The sentence uses the present perfect continuous/progressive tense.

2. C) From or Since - The expression 'From the minute I saw the movie preview' means 'from the very beginning.'

3. A) from - The sentence uses the present perfect continuous/progressive tense BUT it also uses the word 'until.' We need to use the word 'from' when we use the word 'until.'

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