Since vs. When

Attribute	Since	When
Definition	From a specific point in time until now	At what time
Usage	Used to indicate a starting point in time	Used to indicate a specific time or moment
Examples	Since yesterday, since 2010	When did you arrive? When is the meeting?
Duration	Indicates a period of time	Indicates a specific point in time

Definition

Since and when are two common words used to indicate time in the English language. Since is used to refer to a specific point in time or a period starting from a particular time in the past. When, on the other hand, is used to ask about or refer to a specific point in time or a period in the past, present, or future.

Usage

Since is typically used with a specific point in time or a starting point for a period. For example, "I have been working here since 2010." When, on the other hand, is used to ask about or refer to a specific point in time or a period. For example, "When did you start working here?"

Duration

Since is often used to indicate the duration of an action or event that started in the past and continues to the present. For example, "I have been studying English since I was a child." When, however, does not indicate duration and is used to refer to a specific point in time. For example, "When did you arrive?"

Connection to the Present

Since is commonly used to connect a past event or action to the present moment. For example, "I have been waiting for you since 3 o'clock." When, on the other hand, does not necessarily have a direct connection to the present and can refer to past, present, or future events. For example, "When will you be back?"

Clarity

Since is often used to provide clarity about the starting point of an action or event. For example, "I have been living in this city since 2015." When, however, can sometimes be ambiguous and may require additional context to understand the specific point in time being referred to. For example, "When did you last see her?"

Frequency

Since is typically used to indicate a single starting point or period in time. For example, "I have been working here since last year." When, on the other hand, can be used to refer to multiple points in time or events. For example, "When I was in college, I studied abroad."

Conclusion

In conclusion, since and when are both important words used to indicate time in the English language. While since is often used to refer to a specific starting point or period that continues to the present, when is used to ask about or refer to a specific point in time in the past, present, or future. Understanding the differences between since and when can help improve clarity and communication in English language usage.