over three decades vs for three decades

Both "over three decades" and "for three decades" are correct and commonly used phrases in English. They convey a similar meaning but with a slight difference in emphasis. "Over three decades" implies a period of more than three decades, while "for three decades" specifies a duration of exactly three decades.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 1282 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a period of more than three decades.

"over three decades"

This phrase is used to describe a span of time that exceeds three decades. It implies a duration that is longer than three decades.

Examples:

He worked in the company over three decades.
The tradition has been passed down over three decades.
The building has stood for over three decades.

Show examples from the web [+]

And for over three decades, he was right here.
Five countries, including Britain, France and the United States, have been in material breach of this particular article of international law for over three decades.
Mention must be made at the determination of those involved, including David Trimble, and not least a Member of this House, John Hume, who has fought for peace for over three decades.
You've been Tish's o.b.-g.y.n. for over three decades.
Young man, I've been married for over three decades.
whereas, in spite of concerted efforts at dialogue with the guerrillas and the peace talks under way, the parties have not yet succeeded in bringing an end to a conflict which has lasted for over three decades,
The United Kingdom has had to deal with the Irish Republican terrorism of Sinn Féin/IRA for over three decades and as they say themselves, they have not gone away, you know.
Outward and Forward Looking Region: There is still the need to overcome the introspection and negative image associated with over three decades of relative isolation as a region usually shunned by visitors from other parts of Europe.
Alistair was sober for over three decades.
Dean Munsch has been a pillar in this community for over three decades.
Busts for narcotics and solicitation Spanning over three decades,
So, you've been hunting U.F.O.s for over three decades, and you basically have no concrete data and zero workable leads.
It is even rumored that the heavily bandaged goaltender who plays is the late Terry Sawchuk, the NHL's all-time leader in wins and shutouts at the time of his mysterious death over three decades ago.
For over three decades, the EU has successfully absorbed a very diverse set of countries, as we can see from the composition of this House, for instance, including the President in the Chair in charge of this debate and the Commissioner involved.
I'm so surprised I've never heard that once before in my over three decades riding this mic for the likes of Sony Consumer Products, the Nagano Olympics, MCI, Mercedes-Benz, the NFL on CBS, all before you huffed
Over three decades (1970-2000) road traffic has tripled while the number of fatalities has been halved.
Over three decades have passed since the eyes of all Germany were fixed on this part of Central America, when the German ambassador Karl Graf Spreti - whose son is a member of my staff - was abducted and murdered.

Alternatives:

for more than three decades
across three decades
spanning three decades
throughout three decades
during three decades

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a duration of exactly three decades.

"for three decades"

This phrase is used to specify a period of time that lasts exactly three decades. It indicates a duration of precisely three decades.

Examples:

She lived in the same house for three decades.
The company has been in business for three decades.
He served as the president for three decades.

Show examples from the web [+]

My mom's been lying to me for three decades about who she is.
Mr President, the directive we are dealing with today must above all be seen as a complement to the cooperation that has been in existence for three decades between the Member States and their social security systems.
I've used the same wooden comb for three decades.
In Britain we had the IRA to deal with for three decades.
She has worked in the government for three decades.
More particularly, the productivity of pharmaceutical research and development has been declining for three decades, although financial investment has been steadily increasing.
It is out of the question that Lebanon should continue to be associated with the images of division, occupation and violence that we have now witnessed for three decades.
We need only make a list of the newspaper headlines about Zimbabwe from the last five years to have a picture of what conditions are like in a country which has been ruled for three decades by President Robert Mugabe.
Nevertheless, the Commission has proposed removing the option of public intervention for pigmeat on the admirable grounds that the scheme has not been used for three decades but, in so doing, the Commission is embarking on policy changes.
A large number of demonstrations have been taking place throughout Egypt, with millions of people taking to the streets on a daily basis and calling for President Hosni Mubarak, who has been in power for three decades, to go.
For three decades animals have gnawed through roofs and walls.
For three decades I outran every bullet aimed at me.
For three decades, I've stood by my husband's side.
Fugitive terrorist Nicholas Sloan had apparently been practicing law in Albany for three decades, under the name James Grant, before he was exposed recently by a reporter from the Albany Sun-Times.
My dad kept this place going for three decades.
You have been at an awkward age for three decades.
Like, my father was a fireman for three decades.
You served for three decades as the head of the military for an ironfisted dictator.
Can you imagine being asked by your daughter to meet your ex-wife on a daily basis, when you've hardly seen her for three decades?
For three decades the EU has agonised over tax coordination projects.

Alternatives:

for a period of three decades
for exactly three decades
for a total of three decades
for the past three decades
for the last three decades

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over three decades vs for three decades