"Ever since" is a common idiom that expresses the idea of continuity or persistence from a past time until now. It is often used to show the cause and effect of an event or action that changed something in the past and has continued to influence the present.

In short:

• It means from a past time until now.
• It shows the cause and effect of a past event on the present.
• It is often used with the past perfect tense.

What Does "Ever Since" Mean?

The idiom "ever since" can be used in various ways to show the relationship between a past time and the present.

• It can indicate that something started in the past and has continued until now, often with a positive or negative implication. For example, "I have been in love ever since I met you."
• It can emphasize that something has been confirmed or happening for a long time, often with a sense of surprise or disbelief. For example, "I wanted to be an astronaut ever since I was a child."
• It can introduce a clause that explains the reason or cause of something in the present, often with a sense of contrast or regret. For example, "Ever since he lost his job, he has been depressed."

Where Does "Ever Since" Come From?

The idiom "ever since" comes from combining two words: ever and since. "Ever" is an adverb that means always, at any time, or continuously. "Since" is a preposition, conjunction, or adverb that means "from a past time until now, after a past time, or because."

The combination of "ever and since" can be traced back to Middle English, where it was written as "syns" or "synnes," meaning afterward, from (the specified time), or because. It was derived from the Old English "siththan," meaning "after that."

10 Examples of "Ever Since" in Sentences

Here are some examples of how to use this phrase in different sentences:

• Real talk: Ever since you left, I have been feeling blue.
• He has been traveling around the world ever since he retired.
• Ever since I read that book, I have been interested in philosophy.
• I have been saving money ever since I got my first paycheck.
• That's too bad. She hasn't spoken to me ever since we had that argument.
• He has been obsessed with dinosaurs ever since he watched Jurassic Park.
• Ever since we adopted this dog, our house has been full of joy and laughter.
• Oh, snap. He has been suffering from chronic pain ever since he had that accident.
• Ever since I started working from home, I have had more time for my hobbies and family.
• No mean feat. Ever since she became famous, she has been followed by paparazzi everywhere.

Examples of "Ever Since" in Pop Culture

Here are some examples of how this idiom has been used in various forms of pop culture:

• In the song "Ever Since New York" by Harry Styles (2017), he sings: "And I've been praying, I never did before / Understand I'm talking to the walls / I've been praying ever since New York."
• In Friends (1994-2004), Joey tells Chandler, "You've been a little weird around me ever since I got engaged."
• In the musical Hamilton (2015), based on the biography by Ron Chernow (2004), Alexander Hamilton says: "I have been studying the art of the deal ever since I was a kid in St. Croix."

Other Ways to Say "Ever Since"

Here are some synonyms for this idiom:

• From that point forward
• From that moment onward
• From that day forth
• From that time on
• Since that time
• After that
• Following that
• Subsequently
• Thereafter

10 Frequently Asked Questions About "Ever Since"

Here are some frequently asked questions about this idiom:

• What does "ever since" mean?

"Ever since" is a common idiom that expresses the idea of continuity or persistence from a past time until now. It is often used to show the cause and effect of an event or action that changed something in the past and has continued to influence the present.

• What is the origin of the phrase "ever since"?

The idiom "ever since" comes from combining two words: ever and since. "Ever" is an adverb that means always, at any time, or continuously. "Since" is a preposition, conjunction, or adverb that means "from a past time until now, after a past time, or because."

• What part of speech is "ever since"?

"Ever since" can be used as an adverb or a conjunction. As an adverb, it modifies a verb and means continually or often from the past until now. As a conjunction, it introduces a dependent clause and means because.

• How do you use "ever since" in a question?
  

You can use "ever since" in a question by placing it at the beginning or the end of the sentence, depending on the word order and the emphasis. For example, "Ever since when have you been interested in art?" or "Have you been interested in art ever since?"

• How do you punctuate "ever since"?

You can punctuate "ever since" with a comma if it is used at the beginning of a sentence or a clause or if it is used to separate two independent clauses. For example, "Ever since I moved here, I have made many friends."

• What is the difference between "ever since" and "ever after"?

"Ever since" and "ever after" indicate continuity from a past time until now. However, "ever after" has a more fairy-tale-like or romantic connotation, while "ever since" has a more factual or causal implication. For example, "They lived happily ever after." or "They have been happy ever since they met."

• What is the difference between "ever since" and "as long as"?

"Ever since" and "as long as" both express duration from a past time until now, but "ever since" focuses on the starting point of the course, while "as long as" focuses on the condition or requirement of the duration. For example, "I have been studying English ever since I was in elementary school." or "I will keep studying English as long as I live."

• Can you use "ever since" with other prepositions?

You can use "ever since" with other prepositions to add more details or specificity to the time frame. For example, "Ever since I was born, my family has lived in this house." or "Ever since the war, he has been traumatized."

• Can "ever since" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "ever since" can be used in formal writing when appropriate. It is a versatile phrase that can be used in various contexts.

• Is there a limit to how far back in the past "ever since" can refer to?

There is no strict limit to how far back in the past "ever since" can refer to, but it typically refers to events or actions that occurred relatively recently in relation to the present. The exact timeframe can vary depending on the context.

Final Thoughts About "Ever Since"

"Ever since" is an idiom that shows the continuity or persistence of something from a past time until now. It shows the cause and effect of a past event on the present.

Some important points to remember about the idiom:

• It can be used as an adverb or a conjunction.
• It is often used with the past perfect tense.
• It has some synonyms and related expressions.
• It has some punctuation and word order rules.
• It has some usage variations and exceptions.