（2014-11-17）【行銷人的英文課】中文翻譯為「自從」的Since，有哪些容易用錯的地方？
《Avoid Errors When Using “Since”》
（文╱Robert Tolmasoff）Since is used to denote that an event started in the past and continues up to now. Below are some examples of the correct use of since.
O: Sales have increased significantly since September.
O: She has been our general manager since 2011.
There are some events that cannot continue, and therefore, cannot be used in a sentence with “since”. These events frequently are starting points or times, such as a product launch or the start of a meeting.
X: The product has been launched in Taiwan since 2012.
O: The product was launched in Taiwan in 2012.
A “launch” or starting point is not something that can continue in English logic. As a result, using “since” in the situation above is incorrect. Let’s take a look at another example.
X: The meeting has started since 1:30pm.
O: The meeting started at 1:30pm.
Again a start time is not something that can continue. It is a single event that only occurs at one point in time. Think of it like this, we cannot continue to start. We start, and then the start has been completed.
However, “since” can be used in a continuous tense in the following way:
O: Since its launch in 2012, product A sales have increased rapidly.
The difference in the sentence above is that “since” and the item in the continuous tense are in different clauses separated by a comma ( , ). Let’s take a look at another example.
O: Since we implemented the new strategy, profits have increased rapidly.
Note that it is improper to use “since” with a length of time. The following sentences would be incorrect.
X: Sales have increased significantly since two months ago.
X: She has been our general manager since 6 years ago.
“Since” should not be paired with “ago” or with a length of time when trying to describe an event that took place in the past and continues to the current time. Only use “since” with a point in time in the past. See the examples below.
O: Sales have increases significantly since September.
O: She has been our general manager since 2008.
In English “since” can also be used to describe a reason for doing something. Below are a few examples of using “since” correctly in this form.
O: Since we need to finish the proposal tonight, we need to work overtime.
O: Since sales are increasing, we should continue with the same strategy.
Remember not to pair “since” in this form with conjunctions or adverbs, such as “because” or “however”. Combining “since” with these other terms would be grammatically incorrect.
*Robert Tolmasoff is a trainer, editor, and author based in Taipei. His clients include international companies as well as individuals looking to sharpen their communications skills. Robert’s last two books, 上班族完美英文e-mail輕鬆寫 and 1000 Essential Business English Terms, are available in books stores and from McGraw-Hill Taiwan. Have ideas for future columns or questions? Email Robert at rtlmsff@gmail.com
