What's the difference between... from and since?

Both words are used to talk about the start time of an activity but are used differently.

From

Is used to talk about when an activity is going to start.

• Tickets for the concert will be available from Monday 4th April.

• You can start using your discount card from the moment you begin working here.

• The director will be in the office from 9am on Thursday.

From...to / until

When from is used in combination with to or until we can talk about a period of time.

• The bakery is open from 8am to 4pm every weekday.

• The teacher is available to answer questions from 9am until 12pm every Wednesday.

• Tom played football from the age of 8 until he was 15 years old.

Since

Is used to talk about a start time in the past for an activity which has not yet finished.

• Helen has lived in France since 2012. (She is still living there now.)

• Sarah has been practicing yoga every week since the start of the year. (She's still keeping up this practice.)

• Sally has been my boss since last June. (She's still my boss today).
  

Try this for yourself. Complete the following sentences with from or since:

I have been friends with Sally _________ we were at school.

Answer

Since. The friendship started at a time in the past and you are still friends with Sally now.

The play starts at 7pm but you can go into the theatre any time _________ 6.30 p.m.

Answer

From. 6.30pm is a time in the future when an activity is going to start.

Kevin lived in London ________ 1998 to 2011.

Answer

From. Kevin lived in London between two dates in the past: from and to

I have been working here _________ 2019.

Answer

Since. You started working there in 2019 and are still working there now.

I worked at my previous job _______ 2013 until 2019.

Answer

From. You worked at your previous job between two dates in the past: from and to

You have been playing video games ________ I got home!

Answer

Since. You were playing video games at a time in the past and are still playing them now.

Adam went on holiday to Spain every year _______ 2015 until 2020.

Answer

From. The holidays were taken between two dates in the past: from and to/until