# HSK 5 Grammar: The Fixed Phrase (自)……以来 Explained | HSKReady Canonical: https://hskready.app/en/grammar/hsk-5-fixed-phrases-f8b680b512 Language: en Content ID: web-grammar-hsk-5-fixed-phrases-f8b680b512 HSK levels: 5 Updated: 2026-10-23T04:56:47.758Z Scope: published website educational content; full vocabulary, question bank and mock exams remain in the app. Learn how to use the Chinese fixed phrase (自)……以来 to express a time span from the past up to the present, with clear structures, contrasts, and common errors. Grammar [HSK 5 · Fixed patterns](https://hskready.app/en/grammar/hsk-5#hsk-5-g029) # Using the Fixed Phrase (自)……以来 to Express 'Since' （自）……以来 looks back over a span from an earlier point or event to a reference time. That reference is often now, but can be “then” in a past narrative. It is useful for ongoing states, developments and records over the interval. 自 past time point, event, or duration 以来 ， State or development over the interval to the reference time Example sentence 自新政策实施以来，这家工厂的产量翻了一倍。 zì xīn zhèngcè shíshī yǐlái , zhè jiā gōngchǎng de chǎnliàng fān le yī bèi . Since the new policy was implemented, this factory's output has doubled. Uses the full formal frame 自……以来 with a completed past event to summarize cumulative change up to the present. A common mistake × 自下个月搬家以来，我会每天坐地铁上班。 zì xià gè yuè bānjiā yǐlái , wǒ huì měitiān zuò dìtiě shàngbān . Intended: Since moving next month, I will take the subway to work every day. The intended move is next month, so use 下个月搬家以后 for the future plan. Do not change the move to last month merely to force the sentence into an 以来 frame. Corrected example: 下个月搬家以后，我会每天坐地铁上班。 **Read the full explanation and examples** ## Core Meaning and Syllabus Scope The supplied HSK 5 outline lists （自）……以来 as a fixed phrase. It presents an interval from an earlier point to a reference time, often the present. In past narration, 那是他毕业以来第一次回家 places the endpoint at the time of that return. The pattern can frame a state, habit, development or record over that interval. Scope note: Level 5 reflects the placement of this fixed phrase in the supplied 2025-11 syllabus outline, rather than a guarantee of which test version a particular examination center administers on your test date. ## Sentence Structure and Optional 自 The parentheses in （自）……以来 indicate that the opening preposition 自 (meaning 'from') is optional in many contexts, while 以来 closes the time phrase. When the full frame 自……以来 is used, the tone is relatively formal and written, making it common in news reports, workplace summaries, and official statements. The slot inside the frame is typically filled by a past time word, a historical date, or a completed event clause. 自 past time point, event, or duration 以来 ， State or development over the interval to the reference time 自新政策实施以来，这家工厂的产量翻了一倍。 zì xīn zhèngcè shíshī yǐlái , zhè jiā gōngchǎng de chǎnliàng fān le yī bèi . Since the new policy was implemented, this factory's output has doubled. Uses the full formal frame 自……以来 with a completed past event to summarize cumulative change up to the present. With a duration, use the direct form 三年以来 or 长期以来. 去年以来 also needs no 自. Keep established expressions intact: 自古以来 is conventional, while mechanically deleting 自 to make 古以来 is not a useful learner model. Optional 自 does not mean every inner phrase permits the same deletion or insertion. past time point, event, or duration 以来 ， State or development over the interval to the reference time 三年以来，他一直坚持每天晨跑。 sān nián yǐlái , tā yīzhí jiānchí měitiān chénpǎo . For the past three years, he has consistently gone for a morning run every day. Omits 自 before a time duration (三年) that stretches directly up to the time of speaking. ## Natural Contexts and Grammatical Positions Beyond standing at the beginning of a sentence as a time adverbial, a （自）……以来 phrase can also appear after the subject or attach to De (的) to modify a noun phrase directly. When it modifies a noun, it frequently pairs with superlatives (such as 'highest', 'first', or 'most severe') to define the historical window of a record. - With past points or events: Marks when a current trend or state began (for example, since entering university, or since the company was founded). - With time durations: Summarizes what has happened over the period immediately preceding now (for example, over the past five years). - As a noun modifier with 的: Defines the timeframe for a record or comparison (for example, the best performance since 1990). 这是该地区自1990年以来的最高气温。 zhè shì gāi dìqū zì yījiǔjiǔlíng nián yǐlái de zuì gāo qìwēn . This is the highest temperature in the region since 1990. Places 自……以来 before 的 to modify a superlative noun phrase. ## Useful Contrast and Common Learner Mistake 以来 looks back over an interval to the current or narrative reference time. 以后 marks time after a point and can refer to past or future events, without requiring continuation to the reference time. In a future moving-house plan, use 搬家以后 rather than treating the move as already having happened. 我们打算明年大学毕业以后一起创业。 Wǒmen dǎsuàn míngnián dàxué bìyè yǐhòu yīqǐ chuàngyè. We plan to start a business together after graduating from university next year. Correctly uses 以后 rather than 以来 because the graduation and the planned action are in the future. In the unqualified future plan below, 下个月搬家 has not happened yet, so 以来 is unsuitable. Preserve that future meaning by changing to 以后. A sentence with a past 以来 span can still mention a future goal: 入职以来，我一直计划明年申请进修 describes planning that is already underway. × 自下个月搬家以来，我会每天坐地铁上班。 zì xià gè yuè bānjiā yǐlái , wǒ huì měitiān zuò dìtiě shàngbān . Intended: Since moving next month, I will take the subway to work every day. The intended move is next month, so use 下个月搬家以后 for the future plan. Do not change the move to last month merely to force the sentence into an 以来 frame. Corrected example: 下个月搬家以后，我会每天坐地铁上班。 下个月搬家以后，我会每天坐地铁上班。 Xià ge yuè bānjiā yǐhòu, wǒ huì měitiān zuò dìtiě shàngbān. After I move next month, I will take the subway to work every day. 以后 keeps the original future move and the daily commuting plan. A past-event sentence with 以来 would express a different time relationship. ## Frequently asked questions **When is it most natural to leave out 自 in （自）……以来?** Use 三年以来、长期以来 or 去年以来 naturally without 自. With a clear event, both 入学以来 and 自入学以来 can work. Keep fixed expressions such as 自古以来 intact rather than treating 自 as freely removable before every time expression. **Why does a duration plus 以来 mean 'over the past X years' instead of 'since X years'?** In a present-time account, 三年以来 normally covers the three years leading up to now. In a past narrative, the reference time can shift to the relevant “then.” For natural English, translate the duration as “over the past three years” or “for the preceding three years,” depending on that viewpoint. **How does 自……以来 differ from 自从……以来 in everyday use?** Both express 'since', but 自……以来 is more concise and leans toward formal or written style, whereas 自从 is slightly more conversational and can also stand alone without 以来 in spoken Chinese. **Source**[hsk.cn-bj.ufileos.com · PDF page 398](https://hsk.cn-bj.ufileos.com/3.0/%E6%96%B0%E7%89%88HSK%E8%80%83%E8%AF%95%E5%A4%A7%E7%BA%B21219.pdf#page=398) ## Continue in the app Full mock exams are available in HSKReady. 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