Gemini
While both since and from indicate the starting point of an action or event, the main difference lies in the verb tense you use and whether the action is still happening.
Here is the breakdown of how and when to use each.
Since
Use since to talk about an action that started at a specific point in the past and is still continuing right now. Because it connects the past to the present, it is almost always used with perfect tenses (like has/have been or has/have done).
- The Rule:
Present Perfect Tense + Since + Specific Past Time - Examples:
- “I have lived in London since 2015.” (I moved there in 2015, and I still live there now.)
- “She has been awake since 6:00 AM.” (She woke up at 6:00 AM and is still awake.)
Key insight: “Since” always looks backward from the present moment to a specific starting line in the past.
From
Use from to mark the starting point of an action in any time period—past, present, or future. Unlike “since,” it doesn’t automatically mean the action is still happening right now. It is often paired with “to” or “until” to show an end point.
- The Rule:
Any Tense + From + Starting Point - Examples:
- Future: “I will be on vacation from next Monday.”
- Present/Routine: “The store is open from 9 AM to 5 PM.”
- Past: “He worked there from 2010 to 2015.” (He doesn’t work there anymore.)
Bonus: “From” is also used for physical locations and origins, whereas “since” is strictly for time.
- Correct: “I am from Italy.” / “I drove from home.”
- Incorrect: “I am since Italy.”
The Quick Comparison Test
If you aren’t sure which word to use, look at the tense of the sentence.
| Sentence | Correct Word | Why? |
| “I have been waiting ____ morning.” | since | Uses present perfect; action is still happening. |
| “The meeting will run ____ 2 PM to 4 PM.” | from | Uses future tense; paired with an end point (“to”). |
| “I work ____ home on Fridays.” | from | Refers to a physical location, not time. |
Open Elective paper introduced from 2026-27.
or
Open Elective paper introduced since 2026-27.
Which is correct? Or both are correct?
“Open Elective paper introduced from 2026-27” is the correct choice, but it can be improved depending on how you are using it.
“Open Elective paper introduced since 2026-27” is incorrect.
Here is why:
Why “from” works (but could be better)
In academic contexts, using from usually implies “effective from” or “starting in.” It tells the reader the exact time period when the new paper becomes an active part of the curriculum.
However, because “introduce” is a one-time action (it happens once, it isn’t continuous), it is usually better to use in or clearly state that it is effective from that date.
Better alternatives for a syllabus or official document:
- “Open Elective paper introduced in 2026-27.”
- “Open Elective paper, effective from 2026-27.”
- “Open Elective paper offered from 2026-27 onwards.”
Why “since” is incorrect here
There are two reasons “since” fails in this sentence:
- Wrong Verb Type: “Introduce” is a single event. You introduce a course once; you don’t keep introducing it continuously. “Since” requires a continuous state. (You could say the course has been available since 2026, but not introduced since 2026).
- Missing Tense: “Since” requires a perfect tense (like has been). Your phrase is a fragment without a perfect tense verb.
Here are a few examples of similar academic or administrative statements, showing how to correctly apply these words depending on what you want to emphasize:
1. Using “From” (To show when a rule or availability starts)
- “The revised grading system will be implemented from the next academic year.”
- “The library will remain open until midnight from Monday onwards.”
2. Using “Effective from” (The best choice for official notices)
- “New attendance policy, effective from August 2026.”
- Why it works: This is the standard, formal way to write syllabus headers or official circulars.
3. Using “In” (For a one-time past event)
- “The mandatory internship requirement was introduced in 2025.”
- Why it works: Just like your previous example, “introducing” a requirement is a single event that happened in a specific year.
4. Using “Since” (For an action that started in the past and is still happening)
- “The university has offered this scholarship since 2018.”
- Why it works: It uses the perfect tense (“has offered”) to show that the university started giving the scholarship in 2018 and is still giving it today.