NounsHSK 4
Expressing "ever since" with 以来
Place 以来 after a time or event to indicate "ever since" that moment up to the present. The expression typically starts a sentence. In formal contexts, you can add a preceding preposition like 从 or 自 to create a "sandwich" construction, but in casual speech just 以来 is enough.
Structure
Time / Event + 以来 ，⋯⋯
从 / 自 / 自从 + Time / Event + 以来 ，⋯⋯
formal/written
Examples
- 今年八月以来，这里一直没下过雨。Jīnnián Bāyuè yǐlái , zhèlǐ yīzhí méi xià guo yǔ.It hasn't rained since August of this year.
- 结婚以来，我们没吵过架。Jiéhūn yǐlái , wǒmen méi chǎo guo jià.Since we got married we haven't had a fight.
- 上大学以来，他变了很多。Shàng dàxué yǐlái , tā biàn le hěn duō.Since starting college, he's changed a lot.
- 从他爸爸去世以来，他就没有回过家。Cóng tā bàba qùshì yǐlái , tā jiù méiyǒu huí guo jiā.He hasn't returned home since his father passed away.
- 从我学汉语以来，我认识了很多中国朋友。Cóng wǒ xué Hànyǔ yǐlái , wǒ rènshi le hěn duō Zhōngguó péngyou.Since I started studying Chinese, I've made a lot of Chinese friends.