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  #1 (permalink)  
Unread Oct 26th, 2008, 10:03 am
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dehardheaded is on a distinguished road
Default Since

Hi everyone,

What does "since" mean in the following sentence?
"... The result of all these researches was a history of the province during the reign of the Dutch governors, which he published some years since."
Quote:
Since (adv.)
...
2. Before now; ago
3. After some point in the past; at a subsequent time

---------------------------------------------------------
Excerpted from American Heritage Talking Dictionary
Copyright © 1997 The Learning Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
That's a bit perplexing! Can't both meanings be applied to the above sentence?
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  #2 (permalink)  
Unread Oct 26th, 2008, 10:29 am
Sue
 
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Default Re: Since

Whoops - see below.
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  #3 (permalink)  
Unread Oct 26th, 2008, 10:31 am
Sue
 
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Default Re: Since

This comes from Irving's "Rip Van Winkle" written in 1820. The language has changed a lot since then. At that time "since" could be used to mean "ago",. as your dictionary says. I don't think there's any other meaning intended here. Another example, dated 1862, quoted by the Oxford dictionary : He went out a little while since.
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  #4 (permalink)  
Unread Oct 27th, 2008, 02:47 am
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Exclamation Re: Since

Thanks Susan. That alarms me that I have picked up the wrong book for my reading practice.
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  #5 (permalink)  
Unread Oct 27th, 2008, 04:49 am
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Default Re: Since

I take it from that that you're a learner of English? Congratulations - I'd never have guessed from your original message. But, if your main aim in reading is language improvement (rather than an interest in literature, or just wanting to read a good story) I'd always suggest you choose contemporary works. Thrillers are good at an advanced level because they tend to contain a lot of dialogue and more colloquial language. That's how I keep my French going .... (actually, it's also a good excuse to read stuff like John Grisham and Robert Ludlum which I'd feel guilty about reading in English ....)
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  #6 (permalink)  
Unread Oct 27th, 2008, 01:58 pm
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Default Re: Since

Yes, English is my second language, and currently my focus is more on written/formal English. My aim is to further extend my vocabulary and broaden my familiarity with more complicated sentence styles. I am currently reading these:

1- Elster's "Verbal Advantage"
2- A (rather heretical) book named "Reason in Revolt - Dialectical philosophy ..." which I think has a fluent language, and is turning out to be a collection of the words I have memorized for GRE!
3- New York Times!

These are the best resources I could find.
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  #7 (permalink)  
Unread Dec 22nd, 2008, 01:31 am
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Default Re: Since




thnx for that knowledgeable discussion .




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  #8 (permalink)  
Unread Jan 28th, 2009, 01:24 am
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Default Re: Since

Um excuse me but "since" in that sentence does not mean "ago!"

The use of since means;

That several years (undefined) after "the reign of the Dutch governors" he published a historical research document.

Ago does not come into the question ..... sorry!

Rob

Last edited by Eric : Jan 28th, 2009 at 09:58 am. Reason: Removed website promotion from content of post.
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