Ever noticed how similar “since” and “sense” sound? It’s no wonder people often mix them up — especially when typing fast or learning English.
Although they look alike, “since” and “sense” have completely different meanings and functions in grammar. One is a time-related connector (used in phrases like since 2020), while the other deals with understanding, perception, or logic (that makes sense).
Confusing them can totally change the meaning of your sentence — sometimes in funny ways!
In this article, we’ll break down what each word means, how to use them correctly, and simple tricks to remember the difference forever.
By the end, you’ll easily spot which one fits — whether you’re writing an essay, email, or text.
Let’s dive in! 🕵️♀️
What Is “Since”?
✅ “Since” is a preposition, conjunction, and sometimes an adverb used to refer to time, cause, or reason.
It connects actions or situations and helps show when something started or why something happened.
1. “Since” as a Preposition (Time)
Used to show when something began.
Examples:
- “I’ve lived here since 2010.”
- “She hasn’t called me since last week.”
- “It’s been raining since morning.”
🎯 Meaning: From a specific point in the past until now.
2. “Since” as a Conjunction (Reason or Time)
Used to connect two clauses, often meaning because or from that time.
Examples:
- “Since you’re here, let’s start the meeting.” → (because)
- “I haven’t seen her since she moved.” → (from that time)
🎯 Tip:
If it shows reason, it can be replaced by because.
If it shows time, it can be replaced by from the time that.
3. “Since” as an Adverb
Used alone to refer to time passed.
Examples:
- “I met him in college and haven’t seen him since.”
- “She left early and hasn’t returned since.”
💡 Simple Definition:
“Since” means from a time in the past until now, or because of something.
Quick Grammar Table: “Since” in Action
| Function | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Preposition | From a specific time | “I’ve worked here since 2015.” |
| Conjunction | Because / From that time | “Since you’re ready, let’s go.” |
| Adverb | From that time until now | “He left and hasn’t been back since.” |
What Is “Sense”?
✅ “Sense” is a noun and verb related to feeling, understanding, awareness, or logic.
It refers to your physical perceptions (like smell, sight, touch) or your mental understanding (like common sense).
1. “Sense” as a Noun
Used to talk about perception, awareness, or meaning.
Examples:
- “Humans have five senses.”
- “That doesn’t make any sense.”
- “He has a good sense of humor.”
🎯 Meaning: The ability to feel, understand, or judge something.
2. “Sense” as a Verb
Means to feel, detect, or be aware of something.
Examples:
- “I could sense her disappointment.”
- “He sensed danger in the air.”
- “Animals can sense fear.”
🎯 Meaning: To notice or perceive something without being told directly.
Common Phrases with “Sense”
| Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Common sense | Good practical judgment | “Use your common sense when driving.” |
| Make sense | Be logical or understandable | “That explanation doesn’t make sense.” |
| No sense | Not logical | “It makes no sense to go there now.” |
| Sense of humor | Ability to find things funny | “She has a great sense of humor.” |
| Sense of direction | Ability to navigate | “He has no sense of direction.” |
💡 Simple Definition:
“Sense” means perception, understanding, or meaning.
Key Differences Between “Since” and “Sense”
| Feature | Since | Sense |
|---|---|---|
| Part of Speech | Preposition / Conjunction / Adverb | Noun / Verb |
| Main Meaning | Refers to time or reason | Refers to understanding or perception |
| Example (Time) | “I’ve been here since Monday.” | — |
| Example (Logic) | — | “That doesn’t make sense.” |
| Common Usage | “Since yesterday,” “Since you came” | “Sense of humor,” “Make sense” |
| Pronunciation | /sɪns/ | /sɛns/ |
| Spelling Trick | “Since” → Think time since then | “Sense” → Think sixth sense |
🎯 Summary:
“Since” = time or reason
“Sense” = understanding or perception
Real-Life Conversation Examples
Dialogue 1: Grammar Confusion
Alex: “I haven’t seen you sense last year!”
Emma: “You mean since last year! ‘Sense’ means feeling, not time.”
🎯 Lesson: Use since for time, sense for feeling or logic.
Dialogue 2: Daily Chat
Liam: “That doesn’t make since.”
Olivia: “Actually, it’s ‘doesn’t make sense.’”
🎯 Lesson: The phrase is make sense, not make since.
Dialogue 3: Workplace Talk
Boss: “It’s been quiet since the new policy started.”
Employee: “Yes, that makes sense — fewer meetings!”
🎯 Lesson: Both words in one sentence — perfect usage!
Dialogue 4: Text Message
Ben: “I haven’t eaten sense morning.”
Nora: “You mean since morning — ‘sense’ means feeling!”
🎯 Lesson: When talking about time, always use since.
Dialogue 5: Life Advice
Grandpa: “Use your sense of judgment, and remember what’s changed since your youth.”
🎯 Lesson: Sense = wisdom or awareness; since = passage of time.
When to Use “Since” vs “Sense”
| Context | Use “Since” | Use “Sense” |
|---|---|---|
| Talking about time | ✅ “I’ve known her since 2018.” | ❌ |
| Explaining a reason | ✅ “Since it’s late, let’s go home.” | ❌ |
| Describing understanding | ❌ | ✅ “That doesn’t make sense.” |
| Referring to feelings | ❌ | ✅ “I can sense the tension.” |
| Expressing logic or meaning | ❌ | ✅ “Her words make perfect sense.” |
🎯 Easy Trick to Remember:
👉 If it’s about time, use since.
👉 If it’s about feeling or logic, use sense.
Fun Fact or History Section
📜 Word Origins:
- Since comes from Old English siththan meaning “from the time that.”
- Sense comes from Latin sensus, meaning “perception” or “feeling.”
So, one word tracks time, the other perception — two different lineages, one tricky similarity!
💡 Fun Insight:
In Shakespeare’s plays, “sense” was often used to mean emotion or wisdom. Today, it’s more commonly used for logic and perception.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| ❌ Wrong | ✅ Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| “I haven’t seen her sense Monday.” | “I haven’t seen her since Monday.” | “Since” shows time. |
| “That doesn’t make since.” | “That doesn’t make sense.” | “Sense” means understanding. |
| “I’ve worked here sense last year.” | “I’ve worked here since last year.” | Use “since” with time references. |
| “He has no since of direction.” | “He has no sense of direction.” | “Sense” is the correct noun. |
| “She hasn’t smiled sense the accident.” | “She hasn’t smiled since the accident.” | Time requires “since.” |
🎯 Quick Tip:
If your sentence could include a date, time, or reason, it’s since.
If it’s about understanding, feeling, or logic, it’s sense.
Memory Tricks to Remember the Difference
🧠 1. Think “Time Since Then.”
If you can add a time after it (“since 2020,” “since morning”), it’s since.
🧠 2. Think “Common Sense.”
If it’s about understanding or feeling, it’s sense — like sense of humor or make sense.
🧠 3. Visual Clue:
“Since” has an i — think i = interval of time.
“Sense” has an e — think e = emotion or empathy.
Mini Practice Quiz
Choose the correct word 👇
- “I haven’t eaten ___ breakfast.” → Since ✅
- “That doesn’t make any ___.” → Sense ✅
- “She’s lived here ___ 2015.” → Since ✅
- “He has no ___ of humor.” → Sense ✅
- “It’s been quiet ___ the storm passed.” → Since ✅
🎯 Answers: Since, Sense, Since, Sense, Since
Conclusion
To sum it up:
✅ “Since” is about time or reason — it tells when or why.
✅ “Sense” is about understanding or perception — it tells how you feel or interpret something.
They sound similar but belong to totally different grammar families.
So, the next time you write, ask yourself:
👉 Is it about time? Use since.
👉 Is it about logic or feeling? Use sense.
Once you “make sense” of that, you’ll never confuse them again! 😉
