I've had a doubt for some time!
I had back pain since 1995, phew! It's over! (I don't have anymore)
Is "since" suitable with my sentence? Or should I use "from"?
I heard that we shouldn't use since as we are talking about past action.
Asked
Active
Viewed 94 times
1
ColleenV
- 11,971
- 13
- 47
- 85
Companion S9
- 13
- 3
-
There are different meanings for since. In your sentence, it does not mean because. I would use from for the reason: "I had back pain from an accident." – Weather Vane Jun 16 '20 at 19:30
-
Even after a point a point time? – Companion S9 Jun 16 '20 at 19:33
-
We use since, with a date or with reference to a past incident. 'I have had back pain since 1995' or 'since the accident' (until now). 'I had had back pain since 1995, but the treatment I had last month cured it.' – Kate Bunting Jun 16 '20 at 19:45
-
Yes but about the simple past? I wanted to say : I had back pain, now I don't have anymore – Companion S9 Jun 16 '20 at 19:47
2 Answers
0
Since is the most appropriate form. I have had back pain since 1995. You would use from only in situations where you are setting a date range. I have had back pain from 1995 until today.
Bruce Murray
- 1,108
- 4
- 7
-
Yes but I talked about the past I wrote "I had" and "past action" is it the same rules? – Companion S9 Jun 16 '20 at 19:44
-
Yes. You can`t use from unless you set two time periods, which can include the present but you have to state that. – Bruce Murray Jun 16 '20 at 19:54
-
I see.. but : I had a lot of trouble from the very first day I met her (past) would be correct? – Companion S9 Jun 16 '20 at 19:57
-1
You definitely want to use since in this sentence. You would use from to explain where you got your back pain.
In your sentence, you might want to consider using the helping verb "have had" because the second part of your sentence is in present tense, and you want to stay parallel.
An example would be:
I have had back pain since 1995 from an accident at baseball.
"Since" is also a conjunction and you could use it to start your sentence:
Since 1995, I have had continuous back pain. Phew! I'm glad that's over.
Another example: I have had that book since 1995, but I gave it away in 2010, so I never read it.
Benjamin Godfrey
- 424
- 3
- 9
-
Do you mean that I could use "I have had" ,which normally mean that events are still true, even if I no longer have back pain, as long as I mention at the end that the event is finished? – Companion S9 Jun 16 '20 at 20:04
-
"had" is simple past tense and "have had" is Present Perfect tense. The second part of your sentence. "Phew, it's over!" is in present tense. You want to stay parallel. – Benjamin Godfrey Jun 16 '20 at 20:18
-
Would it be correct If I'd said : I owned it since 1990 (but I gave it in 2010 wich mean I haven't had it anymore for a longtime) – Companion S9 Jun 16 '20 at 20:36
-
-
Sorry it is for the exemple I talked about anything else, a book for exemple... – Companion S9 Jun 16 '20 at 20:41
-
Thanks for your answer, but actually my question is : Can I use since with the past, but I think you answered me. Thanks – Companion S9 Jun 16 '20 at 20:52
-
Oh, you owned the book since 1990, but you gave it away in 2010. You understand "since", correctly, but now you should study "give" and "give away" – Benjamin Godfrey Jun 16 '20 at 20:54
-