What is the difference in meaning with and without for?

thermostat

What is the difference in meaning with and without for?

The difference between "over 40 years" and "for over 40 years" is subtle but important.

- "Master in making noodles over 40 years"
- This phrasing sounds incomplete or slightly unnatural. It could imply that the person has been a master for more than 40 years, but it lacks clarity on whether they have been practicing for that long.
- It might be interpreted as saying they have been involved with noodles for over 40 years, but without specifying whether they have been actively making them.

- "Master in making noodles for over 40 years"
- The word "for" explicitly indicates duration. This means that the person has been practicing and mastering the craft continuously for more than 40 years.
- It makes the sentence clearer and more grammatically natural.


So, "for over 40 years" is the preferred choice to clearly express that someone has been engaged in noodle-making for that entire period.
／05 2025