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This is my first question. So please go easy on me if possible.

I can't understand the difference between 'for' and 'over' in terms of time.

For example, What is this difference: 'The birth rate has been increasing over ten years', and 'The birth rate has been increasing for ten years'.

If I can give you another example, what is the difference between 'for centuries' and 'over centuries'.

Maybe this is a very easy question but I can't find out the difference. Please help me.

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  • If Tony's answer is correct, the interpretation here is that the change (rise) in population is constant! (Constant in the sense of always occurring rather than at an equal rate.)
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Jun 2, 2017 at 3:52
  • Thank you for helping me! I can find out the difference!
    – 斯波隼斗
    Jun 2, 2017 at 4:53

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The birth rate has been increasing over ten years means there may be minor ups & downs when observed in a smaller time window, say an year, but over the span of ten years, there is definitely an increase in birth rate.

The birth rate has been increasing for ten years means there is always an increase in birth rate no matter how small the time window is, in the ten years. In mathematics, this is considered as a strictly increasing function of time.

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  • Thank you for helping me! Your answer is very easy to understand. Again, thank you!
    – 斯波隼斗
    Jun 2, 2017 at 4:52

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