Mastering "Since Last Year": A Simple Grammar Guide for English Learners

Have you ever wanted to talk about something that started in the past and is still happening now? The phrase "since last year" is perfect for this. Understanding how to use it correctly can make your English sound more natural and improve your sentence structure. This guide will explain everything you need to know about this common adverbial phrase. We will cover its meaning, grammar rules, and provide clear examples to help you gain fluency in English.

Table of Contents

• What Does "Since Last Year" Mean?
• What Type of Adverbial Phrase Is "Since Last Year"?
• Example Sentences with "Since Last Year"
• When and How to Use "Since Last Year"
• Summary and Practice Tip

What Does "Since Last Year" Mean?

The phrase "since last year" means from a specific time in the previous year up to the present moment.

It tells us when an action or state began. In grammar, its job is to modify verbs, giving more information about the action. When you use "since last year," you are signaling that something started in the past and is still relevant or ongoing today. It adds important context to your sentences.

More: Mastering During the Night: Grammar Guide for ESL Learners

What Type of Adverbial Phrase Is "Since Last Year"?

"Since last year" is an adverbial phrase of time. These phrases answer questions like "When?" or "For how long?" It specifically tells us the starting point of an action or state that continues to the present. This is a key piece of information for sentence structure.

Let's look at its simple grammar breakdown:

• Preposition:since
• Adjective/Determiner:last
• Noun:year

An important grammar rule is its position in a sentence. It usually comes at the end. However, you can place it at the beginning for emphasis, but you must add a comma after it.

• Standard Position:Subject + Verb + [since last year].
  • She has studied French since last year.
• Emphatic Position:[Since last year], Subject + Verb.
  • Since last year, she has studied French.

More: Mastering At Lunchtime: A Simple English Grammar Guide

Example Sentences with "Since Last Year"

Here are a few sentence examples to show how this adverbial phrase works in real conversations and writing. Notice how the verb is in the present perfect tense.

• Our company's profits have increased significantly since last year.
• I haven't seen my cousins since last year. I really miss them.
• Since last year, the city has built three new parks for residents.

Here is a short dialogue demonstrating natural sentence use:

• Person A: "Your guitar playing has improved so much!"
• Person B: "Thanks! I've been practicing every day since last year."

More: Mastering 'After a While': A Guide for English Learners

When and How to Use "Since Last Year"

The phrase "since last year" is incredibly useful and versatile. You can use it in formal writing, like business reports showing growth, and in casual, everyday speech with friends. It helps you describe personal experiences, changes, and ongoing projects with clarity.

The most critical usage tip is about verb tense. You must use "since last year" with the present perfect (e.g., have been, has lived) or present perfect continuous (e.g., have been working, has been studying) tenses. These tenses are designed to connect the past to the present, which is exactly what "since" does.

Common Mistake to Avoid

Many English learners incorrectly use "since last year" with the simple past tense. This is one of the most common mistakes and a great ESL writing tip to remember.

• Incorrect: ❌ I worked here since last year.
• Correct: ✅ I have worked here since last year.

The simple past ("worked") implies the action is finished. The present perfect ("have worked") correctly shows the action started in the past and continues now. Getting this right is a big step toward English fluency.

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, "since" is used to refer back to a previous point in time. This is why it establishes a clear starting point. Don't confuse it with 'for', which describes a duration (e.g., "for one year").

Summary and Practice Tip

To summarize, "since last year" is an adverbial phrase of time that points to when an ongoing action began. Remember to always pair it with the present perfect tense to modify verbs correctly. Mastering this simple phrase will make your English sound more precise and natural.

Now it's your turn to practice! Write a sentence in the comments below using "since last year." For example: "I have been learning to cook..." We would love to see your examples!