Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

Teo · Joined: 15 Oct 2005 Posts: 193 Location: Taiwan

1. A lot has happened ever since we graduated.

2. Steele has not visited Arizona ever since he sold his house last October.

3. Darla's been really happy ever since she started work.

Which of the above sentences is acceptable?
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myprofe · Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 4:20 am Post subject:

Only the third one sounds right to me but I'm not sure why.
Here are some examples while I ponder over this.

I moved to Madrid in 1980 and I've been living here ever since or since then.

My life has changed a lot since moving to Madrid.

I starting teaching English and I've been doing that ever since.

I haven't seen John since I moved to Madrid.

Since I moved to Madrid I haven't seen John.
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alper · Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 4:39 am Post subject:

hi friends,

we can use "since" with years, we don't use "ever since" with years.

so, all your examples are acceptable... Smile

since:
I have been here since 1992

ever since:
I have been here ever since I left my hometown...
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myprofe · Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 5:57 am Post subject:

myprofe · Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 10:42 am Post subject: Since then - Ever since

Since / Since Then / Ever Since

These words are used to refer to an activity or condition that started in the past and continues in the present. For this reason we use the present perfect verb tense.

I started studying English in 1996.
I am still studying English.
I have been studying English for 10 years.
I have been studying English since 1996.
I have been studying English since then.
I have been studying English ever since.

Since Then / Ever Since

"Since then" refers to a point in time, 1996, while "ever since" refers to a period of time, 10 years. For that reason we can only use "ever since" when the condition or activity has in fact continued during the entire period.

I have had many teachers since then.
I have had the same teacher ever since.

In other words, you can not refer to multiple situations or actions with �ever since� unless they all happened at the same time during the entire period.

I have been travelling ever since I was a child.
I have lived in many countries since I was a child.
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I'm never going to learn if you don't correct my mistakes!

Mary W. Ng · Joined: 26 Jun 2006 Posts: 261