Ever since vs Not since those towers fell

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Ever since

Top 2,000 (common)

Not since those towers fell

Top 2,000 (common)
 Ever sinceNot since those towers fell
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //ˈɛv.ə sɪns//🇺🇸 //ˈɛv.ər sɪns//🇬🇧 //nɒt sɪns ðoʊz ˈtaʊəz fɛl//🇺🇸 //nɑt sɪns ðoʊz ˈtaʊərz fɛl//
Meaningfrom a time in the past until nowA phrase indicating something hasn't happened since a specific event.
ExampleI've loved reading ever since I was a child.Not since those towers fell have we felt such a loss.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 2,000 (common)
Collocationsever since childhood, ever since that day, ever since the incidentfelt a loss, changed the landscape, lost hope
Antonymsnever, not since, until now, not ever-
Common mistakes'Ever since' is often used without a past reference., Confused with 'since' when the timeline is not specified., Incorrect verb tense when indicating duration.Confusing the phrase with simpler expressions., Using it in informal contexts., Incorrectly attributing a specific time frame to the event.
Usage notesUse 'ever since' to indicate a continuous period from a specific past event to now. It's appropriate in both spoken and written English but is less formal than other phrases like 'since that time.' Avoid using with very formal contexts.Used in storytelling or reflections; appropriate in serious discussions or when emphasizing change since a major event.

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Ever since
Not since those towers fell

Frequently asked questions: Ever since vs Not since those towers fell

What's the difference between Ever since and Not since those towers fell?

Ever since: from a time in the past until now Not since those towers fell: A phrase indicating something hasn't happened since a specific event.

Can you show an example of each?

Ever since: I've loved reading ever since I was a child. Not since those towers fell: Not since those towers fell have we felt such a loss.

Can I use Ever since and Not since those towers fell interchangeably?

Not always. Ever since and Not since those towers fell are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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