Since vs Sense: Understanding When to Use Each Word

Confusing “since vs sense” is a common mistake—even native English speakers mix them up! These words sound alike (homophones) but have entirely different meanings. In this article, we’ll clarify:

• The difference between “since” and “sense”,
• When to use each word in sentences,
• How to avoid mistakes like “makes since” (it’s “makes sense!”), and more.

Let’s take a quick look at there defenitions

---

Defining “Since vs Sense”: A Breakdown

Let’s start by defining each word’s roles and meanings.

What Does “Since” Mean?

“Since” is used for time or reason. It’s a conjunction, preposition, or adverb.

• As a conjunction (links clauses): time/cause):
  Example: “I’ve been writing since 2010.” (time)
  Example: “Since it’s raining, let’s stay indoors.” (reason)
• As a preposition (marks a starting point in time):
  Example: “She’s lived here since 2015.”
• As an adverb (introduces a reason):
  Example: “Since everyone’s here, let’s start the meeting.”

---

What Does “Sense” Mean?

“Sense” relates to perception, intuition, or meaning. It can be a noun or verb.

• As a noun (a feeling, perception, or understanding):
  Example: “I have a sense of urgency.”
  Example: “The sense of smell is vital for survival.”
• As a verb (to perceive, feel, or understand):
  Example: “I sense that she’s hiding something.”
  Example: “Can you sense the change in the air?”

---

Key Differences: “sense vs since”

Let’s highlight their core distinctions:

Word	Usage	Examples
Since	Time or reason	“I’ve been learning English since 2020.” (time)
		“Since it’s cold, we’ll cancel the picnic.” (reason)
Sense	Perception, meaning, logic	“She has a sense of humor.” (feeling)
		“This plan makes sense.” (logic)

---

You may find informational :Totalling or Totaling: Which Spelling to Use?

Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

1. “Makes Since” vs. “Makes Sense”

The phrase “makes sense” means “is logical” or “is understandable.”

• ❌ Wrong: “Your argument makes since.”
• ✅ Correct: “Your argument makes sense!”

2. Since vs Sense in Sentences

• Time/Reason: Use since.
  Example: “I’ve been a vegetarian since 2018.”
• Feeling/Understanding: Use sense.
  Example: “I have a sense of deja vu.”

3. How to Spell Sense?

• Correct spelling: S-E-N-S-E (noun/verb).
• Common misspells: “since” (time) instead of “sense” (feeling).

---

When to Use “Since vs Sense”: Quick Rules

Use “since” for:

• Time: Since 2020, I’ve traveled more.
• Reason: Since we’re late, let’s hurry.

Use “sense” for:

• Feelings: She has a sense of humor.
• Logic: That doesn’t make sense.

---

Examples to Clarify Since vs Sense

Examples of “Since” (Time & Reason)

• Time: “I’ve loved coffee since childhood.”
• Reason: “Since it’s raining, we’ll stay in.”

Examples of “Sense” (Feeling/Understanding)

• Feeling: “I sense a storm coming.”
• Meaning: “The instructions make sense now.”

Mixed-Up Examples

• ❌ Wrong: “Does that make since?”
• ✅ Correct: “Does that make sense?”

---

The Spelling of “Sense vs Since”

• “Sense” (noun/verb): perception/understanding.
• “Since” (time/cause): always spelled with “i” (SINCE).
• Common errors:
• “Make since” → “makes sense”
• “Sense since” → “sense and since”

---

Origins of “Since and Sense”

• “Since” comes from Old English sēns, meaning “from that time.”
• “Sense” derives from Latin sentire, meaning “to perceive.”

---

FAQs: “Since vs Sense” Explained

---

Real-Life Scenarios Sense or Since

Scenario 1: “Since or Sense” in Sentences

• Wrong: “She’s been here sense 2010.”
• Correct: “She’s been here since 2010.”

Scenario 2: “Makes Since” vs. “Makes Sense”

• Wrong: “Your idea makes since.”
• Correct: “Your idea makes sense!”

---

Advanced Tips for Mastery

1. For “since”: Ask: Is this about time or reason?
2. For “sense”: Ask: Is this about feeling or logic?
3. Spellcheck: “Sense” has an “e,” while “since” has an “i.”

---

Examples of “Since and Sense” in Context

Since (Time/Reason)

• Time: “The store has been open since 1950.”
• Reason: “Since the weather’s bad, we’ll cancel the trip.”

Sense (Feeling/Understanding)

• Feeling: “My sense of direction is terrible.”
• Logic: “That solution doesn’t make sense!”

---

Why “Since” and “Sense” Are Easy to Confuse

• Sound Alike: Both have “sens” in their spelling.
• Similar Length: Both have five letters.
• Common Errors:
• “Does that make since?” → Nope! It’s “make sense.”
• “I sense since yesterday” → Wrong! “I’ve felt this way since yesterday.”

---

The “Makes Sense” vs. “Makes Since” Debate

The phrase “makes sense” means something is logical. “Makes since” is a common typo, but it’s never correct.

---

How to Remember the Difference

Use these mnemonics:

• **”Since” = SINCE (time: “SINCe” = SINgular time).
• “Sense” = SENSE (think of your five senses: see, hear, touch, taste, smell).

Secret Tip:

Remember: Sense has an E for Emotion. Since has an I for In time.
Example: The sense of adventure (feeling). vs. “I’ve traveled since 2010 (time).

---

Words to Replace “Since” or “Sense”

For “Since” (time/reason):

• Time: “from,” “as of,” “from the time.”
• Reason: “because,” “as,” “due to.”

For “Sense” (feeling/meaning):

• Perception: “feel,” “notice,” “perceive.”
• Understanding: “meaning,” “interpretation,” “significance.”

---

The History of “Since” and “Sense”

• “Since”: From Old English sins, meaning “from that time.”
• “Sense”: From Latin sensus (“perception”), linked to emotions and logic.

---

Conclusion: Be a “Since vs. Sense” Champion!

Now you know:

• “Since” = time or reason.
• “Sense” = feeling or logic.
• Avoid “makes since”—always “makes sense!”

---

Final Tips for Success

• Practice with sentences.
• Use mnemonics (e.g., “since” = time, “sense” = five senses).
• Spellcheck: “sense” has an “e,” “since” has an “i.”

---

References for Accuracy

1. Oxford English Dictionary:

• OED “since” definition
• OED “sense” definition

1. Merriam-Webster:

• Merriam-Webster “since”
• Merriam-Webster “sense”