Since vs Sense: Understanding When to Use Each Word

Introduction

• Hook with a confusing sentence that misuses “since” and “sense.”
• Brief overview of the difference.
• Importance of clarity when choosing between since and sense.
• Introduce concepts of linguistic confusion, homophones / heterographs, and parts of speech.

Word Origins and Etymology

The Origin of “Since”

• From Old English (“siþþan”)
• Evolution through Middle English (“sithen”, “sithence”, etc.)
• Latin influence: sint (from esse)
• Time and causality usage history

The Origin of “Sense”

• From Latin: “sensus”, “sentire” — meaning to feel or to perceive
• Connection to five senses, perception and awareness, emotional awareness
• Tied to cognitive processing and semantic clarity

Parts of Speech and Grammatical Function

“Since” — More Than Just Time

• Preposition (e.g., “since childhood”)
• Conjunction (e.g., “Since it’s raining…”)
• Adverb (e.g., “He hasn’t been seen since.”)
• Functions as a temporal clause, causal connector, reason indicator

“Sense” — Feelings and Understanding

• Noun (e.g., “sense of humor”, “makes no sense”)
• Verb (e.g., “I can sense something’s wrong”)
• Covers intuition and emotion, logical understanding, judgment, interpretation

Core Differences: Since vs Sense

Time Reference vs Perception

• Since: anchored in time and reason
• Sense: rooted in understanding and perception
• Use cases with emphasis on cause and effect, meaning and interpretation

Synonyms and Replacements

• For “Since”: Because, As, From, Following, After, Due to, Inasmuch as
• For “Sense”: Understanding, Meaning, Awareness, Perception, Judgment

Usage Examples in Context

Since – Usage in Time and Reason

• Email example: professional email using “since” as time and reason
• Examples:
  • “I’ve lived here since 2015.”
  • “Since you were away, we postponed the meeting.”
  • “Since the accident, he’s been cautious.”

Sense – Usage in Feeling and Understanding

• Email example: team member sensing a problem in a project
• Examples:
  • “That makes sense.”
  • “Get a bad sense from this proposal.”
  • “She could sense the tension.”
  • “What sense does it make to redo everything?”
  • “There’s a strong sense of community here.”

Common Phrases and Idioms

Idioms with “Since”

• “Since it’s raining…”
• “I’ve lived here since…”
• “Since the accident…”

Idioms with “Sense”

• “Makes sense”
• “Doesn’t make sense”
• “Get a bad sense”
• “Sense of direction”
• “Sense of humor”
• “What sense does it make?”

Comparing Confusing Sentences

That Makes Sense or Since?

• Explaining why “that makes sense” is correct, not “that makes since”
• Examples of spelling confusion
• Break down sense vs since examples in casual and formal scenarios

Timeline Markers and Time Expressions

• Usage of since as a starting point in time
• Diagram: Visual timeline showing “from a point in time” to now
• How it functions as a timeline marker

Intuition, Emotion, and Perception: Inside the Word “Sense”

• Exploring the emotional depth and semantic clarity behind the word
• How “sense” applies to both feelings and intellectual judgment
• Common confusion in spoken English

FAQs: Since or Sense?

• Rapid-fire Q&A:
  • “Is it ‘make sense’ or ‘make since’?”
  • “Can ‘since’ be used for feelings?”
  • “Is ‘sense’ always a noun?”
  • “What’s the difference in pronunciation?”
  • “Is ‘since’ always about time?”

Final Tips to Avoid Confusion

• Remember the part of speech
• Ask: Is this about time, reason, or feeling?
• Use the context to choose the right word
• Reference synonyms and replacements as tools

Conclusion

• Summarize key distinctions: Time and Reason (Since) vs Perception and Meaning (Sense)
• Encourage practicing through writing or conversation
• Emphasize listening for usage in media, books, and conversations