Once vs. Since — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 26, 2024
"Once" refers to a singular occurrence or a time in the past, while "since" denotes a point in time from which an event or action continues up to the present.
Difference Between Once and Since
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The word "once" can be used to indicate something that happened at a specific time in the past ("I once lived in Paris"). In contrast, "since" is used to express continuity from a past point up to the present, often linked with the duration of time ("I have been working here since 2010").
"Once" emphasizes the singularity or the conclusion of an event, while "since" focuses on the starting point and the ongoing nature of an event or condition.
Once describe an action that happens only one time ("Once you submit your application, you cannot change it")."Since" can also imply causation, as in "Since you asked, I will tell you." Here, it is used to mean because or due to the fact that.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Refers to a one-time occurrence
Marks the beginning of a duration
Usage
Past action or condition
Ongoing action from past to present
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Example Sentence
"Once I knew the truth, I acted."
"I have felt better since the surgery."
Additional Meaning
Can imply rarity or uniqueness
Can imply causation
Temporal Focus
Specific past moment
Continuous duration from past to now
Compare with Definitions
Once
Used to express a condition or situation's rarity.
Once in a blue moon, she visits the old town.
Since
Used to emphasize an effect that started in the past and continues.
She has been happier since moving to the new house.
Once
At the moment when.
Once the agreement is signed, the work will begin.
Since
Because; considering that.
Since you are not interested, we will not bother you.
Once
Conveys the idea of as soon as, or whenever.
Once you decide, let me know.
Since
Continuously from or counting from.
He has been missing since last week.
Once
On one occasion or for one time only.
Please repeat that once more.
Since
Conveys cause or reason.
Since the project was successful, everyone received a bonus.
Once
At a previous time;
Once he loved her
Her erstwhile writing
Since
From a particular time in the past until now.
It has been raining since yesterday.
Once
One time only
Once a day.
Since
From then until now or between then and now
They left town and haven't been here since.
Once
At one time in the past; formerly.
Since
Before now; ago
A name long since forgotten.
Once
At any time; ever
Once known, his face is never forgotten.
Since
After some point in the past; at a subsequent time
My friend has since married and moved to California.
Once
By one degree of relationship
My first cousin once removed.
Since
Continuously from
They have been friends since childhood.
Once
A single occurrence; one time
Once will have to do. You can go just this once.
Since
Intermittently from
She's been skiing since childhood.
Once
As soon as; if ever; when
Once he goes, we can clean up.
Since
During the period subsequent to the time when
He hasn't been home since he graduated.
Once
Having been formerly; former
The once capital of the nation.
Since
Continuously from the time when
They have been friends ever since they were in grade school.
Once
(frequency) One and only one time.
I have only once eaten pizza.
Since
Inasmuch as; because
Since you're not interested, I won't tell you about it.
Once
(temporal location) Formerly; during some period in the past.
He was once the most handsome man around.
I once had a bicycle just like that one.
Since
From a specified time in the past.
I met him last year, but haven't seen him since.
A short/long time since
Once
At any time; ever.
If the facts once became known, we'd be in trouble.
Since
From: referring to a period of time ending in the present and defining it by the point in time at which it started, or the period in which its starting point occurred.
Once
(obsolete) One day, someday.
Since
Continuously during that period of time.
I have known her since last year.
Once
(mathematics) Multiplied by one: indicating that a number is multiplied by one.
Once three is three.
Since
At certain points during that period of time.
Once
As soon as; when; after.
We'll get a move on once we find the damn car keys!
Once you have obtained the elven bow, return to the troll bridge and trade it for the sleeping potion.
Once he is married, he will be able to claim the inheritance.
Since
From the time that.
I have loved you since I first met you.
Once
The ounce.
Since
Because.
Since you didn't call, we left without you.
Once
For one time; by limitation to the number one; not twice nor any number of times more than one.
Ye shall . . . go round about the city once.
Trees that bear mast are fruitful but once in two years.
Since
(obsolete) When or that.
Once
At some one period of time; - used indefinitely.
My soul had once some foolish fondness for thee.
That court which we shall once govern.
Since
From a definite past time until now; as, he went a month ago, and I have not seen him since.
We since become the slaves to one man's lust.
Once
At any one time; - often nearly equivalent to ever, if ever, or whenever; as, once kindled, it may not be quenched.
Wilt thou not be made clean? When shall it once be?
To be once in doubtIs once to be resolved.
Since
In the time past, counting backward from the present; before this or now; ago.
How many ages since has Virgil writ?
About two years since, it so fell out, that he was brought to a great lady's house.
Once
Belonging to some prior time;
Erstwhile friend
Our former glory
The once capital of the state
Her quondam lover
Since
When or that.
Do you remember since we lay all night in the windmill in St. George's field?
Once
On one occasion;
Once I ran into her
Since
From the time of; in or during the time subsequent to; subsequently to; after; - usually with a past event or time for the object.
The Lord hath blessed thee, since my coming.
I have a model by which he build a nobler poem than any extant since the ancients.
Once
As soon as;
Once we are home, we can rest
Since
Seeing that; because; considering; - formerly followed by that.
Since that my penitence comes after all,Imploring pardon.
Since truth and constancy are vain,Since neither love, nor sense of pain,Nor force of reason, can persuade,Then let example be obeyed.
Common Curiosities
Can "once" and "since" be used interchangeably?
No, as they convey different temporal relationships.
What does "once" imply in historical contexts?
It refers to something that happened in the past.
How is "since" used in perfect tenses?
It specifies the starting point of actions in perfect tenses.
Is "once" always about time?
Primarily, though it can also suggest uniqueness or rarity.
How does "since" relate to cause and effect?
It can be used to imply a reason for something occurring.
What is the grammatical role of "once"?
It can function as an adverb or conjunction.
Can "since" start a sentence?
Yes, especially when it means because.
What is an example of "once" indicating immediacy?
"Once you press the button, the process starts."
What kind of actions does "since" typically describe?
Ongoing actions or situations that persist from the past to the present.
How do "once" and "since" affect the timeline of a narrative?
"Once" sets a past point, while "since" extends from past to present.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
