for over

USAGE SUMMARY

"for over" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is used to indicate that something has been happening continuously for a prolonged period of time. For example, "He has been living in London for over five years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Fins sell for over $300 a pound.

The New York Times - Science

Dancer, Choreographer, teacher for over 60 years.

The New York Times

I have felt unwell for over 2mnths.

Harvard University

Plants can live for over 60 years.

Wikipedia

For over 14.

WikiHow

Watch out for over complicated words.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

For over-18s only.

Independent

And so to books for over-12s.

Independent

Advised for over-11s.

The Guardian - Books

Best for over-eights.

The Guardian - Books

Suitable for over-threes.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for over" when specifying a duration that exceeds a certain point, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity. For example, "The meeting lasted for over an hour".

Common error

Avoid using "since over" or "from over". The correct structure is "for over" when referring to a duration of time. Example: Incorrect: "I've known him since over a year." Correct: "I've known him for over a year."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for over" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a period of time. It indicates that an action, state, or condition has persisted continuously for a duration exceeding a certain point. Ludwig AI confirms that the usage is correct and common in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for over" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate a duration exceeding a specific time. Ludwig confirms its validity and wide acceptance in English writing. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for diverse contexts, spanning news, academic writing, and informal communication. Common errors involve incorrect preposition usage, such as "since over." The prevalence of "for over" across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than

Directly compares a quantity or duration.

longer than

Emphasizes a comparative duration.

past

Indicates that a certain time or point has been reached or gone beyond.

exceeding

Focuses on the amount surpassed, rather than the duration.

beyond

Highlights exceeding a specific limit or boundary.

surpassing

Indicates going beyond a limit, similar to exceeding.

in excess of

More formal way to express a quantity beyond a certain limit.

extending beyond

Implies an expansion or reach surpassing a defined point.

greater than

Focuses on the quantity or degree being higher.

amounting to more than

Specifies the total reaching above a particular value or time.

FAQs

How do I use "for over" in a sentence?

Use "for over" to indicate a duration that exceeds a specific period. For example, "She worked there "for over ten years"".

What can I say instead of "for over"?

You can use alternatives like "more than", "exceeding", or "in excess of" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "for over three years" or "since over three years"?

"For over three years" is the correct phrase. "Since over three years" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "for over" and "in over"?

"For over" indicates a duration exceeding a specific period, while "in over" typically refers to being deeply involved or overwhelmed by something, and it doesn't concern time.