Not Until vs. Since

Attribute	Not Until	Since
Definition	Indicates the point in time up to which something will not happen or be done	Indicates the starting point in time of an action or event
Usage	Used to express a negative condition that must be met before a certain action can occur	Used to indicate the beginning of a period of time or the cause of a situation
Example	I will not leave until you arrive	I have been waiting since morning

Introduction

Not Until and Since are two common phrases used in English to indicate a point in time or a duration of time. While they may seem similar at first glance, there are key differences between the two that can affect how they are used in a sentence. In this article, we will explore the attributes of Not Until and Since and provide examples to illustrate their usage.

Definition

Not Until is used to indicate the point in time at which something will happen or become true. It suggests that a particular event or action will not occur before the specified time. For example, "I will not leave the house not until it stops raining." On the other hand, Since is used to indicate the starting point of a period of time or an event that continues to the present. It implies that something has been true from a specific time in the past up to now. For example, "I have been working from home since the pandemic started."

Usage

Not Until is often used in negative sentences to emphasize that something will not happen before a certain time. It is commonly used with future actions or events. For example, "I will not go to bed not until I finish this assignment." Since, on the other hand, is used to connect a past event or time to the present. It is often used with present perfect tense to show a continuous action or state that started in the past and continues up to now. For example, "I have been living in this city since 2010."

Examples

Here are some examples to illustrate the difference between Not Until and Since:

• Not Until: "I will not start cooking dinner not until my husband gets home."
• Since: "I have been studying for the exam since last week."

Similarities

While Not Until and Since have distinct meanings and usage, they both refer to a specific point or period of time. They both help to provide clarity and context in a sentence by indicating when an action or event takes place. Additionally, both phrases can be used to show the relationship between past and present events or actions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Not Until and Since are two important phrases in English that help to indicate time and duration. While Not Until is used to specify the point in time when something will happen, Since is used to connect a past event to the present. Understanding the differences between these two phrases can help improve your writing and communication skills. By using Not Until and Since correctly, you can convey your message more effectively and accurately.