（自）…以来: Ever Since in Chinese
（自）……以来
以来 follows a past starting point and defines a span continuing from then to the reference present. 自 may introduce the starting point, while 一直, 都, or a continuing negative often appears in the main clause. Unlike 以后, 以来 looks back across the whole interval rather than merely locating a later event.
Published July 23, 2026
Reviewed July 23, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
(自) + Starting point + 以来, + Continuing situation
Read the structure
以来 follows a past starting point and defines a span continuing from then to the reference present. 自 may introduce the starting point, while 一直, 都, or a continuing negative often appears in the main clause. Unlike 以后, 以来 looks back across the whole interval rather than merely locating a later event. Keep the model (自) + Starting point + 以来, + Continuing situation visible while you compare each sentence.
自去年以来，我一直住在北京。
I have lived in Beijing ever since last year.
Choose the right context
Describe a state continuing from a past event until now. Measure experience over a completed span such as 三年以来. Pair the interval with 一直, 都, or 没…过.
上大学以来，他每天都练习中文。
Since starting university, he has practiced Chinese every day.
Respect the boundary
Do not place 以来 before its starting point. Do not use it for a future starting point. Do not replace it with 以后 when continuity across the interval matters.
以来去年，我一直住在北京。
(Ever since last year, I have lived in Beijing.)
Repair the pattern
以来 precedes the starting point: 以来 is a postposition-like localizer and must follow the starting point. A future point is used with 以来: 以来 looks from a past start toward the present; a future start requires 从…起.
自去年以来，我一直住在北京。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
自去年以来，我一直住在北京。
I have lived in Beijing ever since last year.
自
(自)
This part occupies the (自) position in the model pattern.
去年
Starting point
This part occupies the Starting point position in the model pattern.
以来
以来,
This part occupies the 以来, position in the model pattern.
，
Continuing situation
This part occupies the Continuing situation position in the model pattern.
我
(自)
This part occupies the (自) position in the model pattern.
一直
Starting point
This part occupies the Starting point position in the model pattern.
住在
以来,
This part occupies the 以来, position in the model pattern.
北京
Continuing situation
This part occupies the Continuing situation position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
自去年以来，我一直住在北京。
I have lived in Beijing ever since last year.
上大学以来，他每天都练习中文。
Since starting university, he has practiced Chinese every day.
三年以来，她没请过一天假。
She has not taken a single day off in three years.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Describe a state continuing from a past event until now.
- Measure experience over a completed span such as 三年以来.
- Pair the interval with 一直, 都, or 没…过.
Do not use it when
- Do not place 以来 before its starting point.
- Do not use it for a future starting point.
- Do not replace it with 以后 when continuity across the interval matters.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
以来去年，我一直住在北京。
自去年以来，我一直住在北京。
以来 precedes the starting point
以来 is a postposition-like localizer and must follow the starting point.
自明年以来，我会住在北京。
从明年起，我会住在北京。
A future point is used with 以来
以来 looks from a past start toward the present; a future start requires 从…起.
以来去年，我一直住在北京。
以来 is a postposition-like localizer and must follow the starting point.
自明年以来，我会住在北京。
以来 looks from a past start toward the present; a future start requires 从…起.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with （自）……以来.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with （自）……以来. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
（自）…以来: Ever Since Questions
Can 自 be omitted before 以来?
Yes. 去年以来 and 上大学以来 are complete; 自 makes the starting boundary explicit.
How is 以来 different from 以后?
以来 covers a continuing interval up to now; 以后 simply places something after a time or event.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: GF0025-2021 Appendix A, Level 4 item 【四30】, （自）……以来 (printed p. 209)
Supports placement in HSK 4; it does not independently establish the usage explanation.
Official sourceModern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: Chapter 4, §§4.5–4.7, time-phrase position; Chapter 39, duration expressions
Supports placing a time frame before the main predicate and describing duration from an earlier boundary; GF0025-2021 supplies the specific （自）…以来 form.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
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