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since: tenses

Main clause: I’ve known her since …​

In sentences with since (referring to time), we normally use present perfect and past perfect tenses in the main clause.

  • I’ve known her since 2005. (not I know her since …)
  • We haven’t seen Jamie since Christmas.
  • I was sorry when Jacky moved to America; we had been good friends since university days.

However, present and past tenses are also occasionally found, especially in sentences about changes.

  • You’re looking much better since your operation.
  • She doesn’t come round to see us so much since her marriage.
  • Since last Sunday I can’t stop thinking about you.
  • Things weren’t going so well since Father’s illness.

It’s a long time since …​

In British English, present and past tenses are common in the structure It is/was … since …

  • It’s a long time since the last meeting.
  • It was ages since that wonderful trip.

American English prefers perfect tenses in this structure.

  • It’s been a long time since the last meeting.
  • It had been ages since that wonderful trip.

since-clause: since we were at school​

Since can be used as a conjunction of time, introducing its own clause. The tense in the since-clause can be perfect or past, depending on the meaning. Compare:

  • I’ve known her since we were at school together.
    I’ve known her since I’ve lived in this street.
  • You’ve drunk about ten cups of tea since you arrived.
    You’ve drunk about ten cups of tea since you’ve been sitting here.
  • We visit my parents every week since we bought the car.
    We visit my parents every week since we’ve had the car.
note

For more about present perfect tenses, including American usage, (see here).

For past perfect tenses, (see here).

For the differences between since, for and from, (see here).

For since meaning ‘as’ or ‘because’, (see here).