Mastering “Since This Morning”: A Simple Grammar Guide for ESL Learners
Have you ever wanted to describe an action that started earlier today and is still happening now? The English adverbial phrase “since this morning” is the perfect tool for the job. Understanding how to use this phrase correctly can greatly improve your sentence structure and help you sound more natural. This guide will break down the grammar rules, provide clear examples, and help you use “since this morning” with confidence. Let's boost your fluency in English!
Table of Contents
- What Does “Since This Morning” Mean?
- What Type of Adverbial Phrase Is “Since This Morning”?
- Example Sentences with “Since This Morning”
- When and How to Use “Since This Morning”
- Summary and Practice Tip
What Does “Since This Morning” Mean?
The phrase “since this morning” has a simple and direct meaning.
It means that an action or state began in the morning of the current day and has continued up to the present moment.
This phrase is a verb modifier. It tells us when an activity started and that it is still ongoing. Think of it as a bridge connecting the past (this morning) to the present (now). It answers the question, "Since when?"
More: Mastering 'Until the Deadline': Grammar Guide for ESL Learners
What Type of Adverbial Phrase Is “Since This Morning”?
“Since this morning” is an adverbial phrase of time. Its job is to provide specific information about the timing of an action. Understanding its structure is key to using it correctly.
Let's break it down:
- Preposition:
since(This word indicates a starting point.) - Determiner:
this(This points to the current day's morning.) - Noun:
morning
The most important grammar rule for this phrase involves verb tense. You must use it with the Present Perfect or Present Perfect Continuous tense. This is because these tenses connect a past event to the present.
Here are the common sentence patterns:
Subject + has/have been + Verb-ing + since this morning.(Present Perfect Continuous)Subject + has/have + Past Participle Verb + since this morning.(Present Perfect)Since this morning, Subject + has/have...(For emphasis)
More: Mastering 'In No Time': A Simple Grammar and Usage Guide
Example Sentences with “Since This Morning”
Seeing the phrase in context makes it easier to understand. Here are a few natural sentence examples to help you learn.
- The baby has been sleeping peacefully since this morning.
- My head has ached since this morning; I think I need to take a break.
Here is a short dialogue:
- Person A: “You look exhausted. Have you been working all day?”
- Person B: “Yes! I have been in back-to-back meetings since this morning.”
Notice how each example uses the present perfect (has ached) or present perfect continuous (has been sleeping, have been in meetings) to show the action is still relevant now.
More: Mastering 'At the Crack of Dawn': Usage & Grammar Guide
When and How to Use “Since This Morning”
This phrase is common in both everyday speech and written English, like emails or text messages. It works in both formal and informal situations because it is direct and clear.
One of the most common mistakes for ESL learners is using the wrong verb tense.
- Incorrect:I am studying since this morning.
- Incorrect:I studied since this morning.
- Correct:I have been studying since this morning.
Another point of confusion is the difference between since and for.
- Since marks the start time of an action (e.g.,
since 9 AM,since Monday,since this morning). - For marks the duration of an action (e.g.,
for three hours,for two days).
As the Cambridge Dictionary explains, "since" is used to talk about a point in time when something began. This reinforces why it's the perfect word to pinpoint the start of an action.
Summary and Practice Tip
To summarize, the adverbial phrase “since this morning” is used to describe an action that started in the morning and continues to the present moment. Remember the most important rule: always pair it with the present perfect or present perfect continuous tense.
This simple phrase is a great tool for improving your ESL writing tips and making your speech more precise.
Now it's your turn to practice! Try to write your own sentence using "since this morning" in the comments below. For example: "I have been listening to this album on repeat since this morning." Good luck!
