Hello,
Could you please tell me about the use of these two prepositions?:
It is a symbol of
It is a symbol for
Are they used indistinctly?
(Sorry, I can't provide examples)
Thanks a lot for your help
I haven't researched this, so I apologize if this isn't a comprehensive answer! But here are my thoughts:
- symbol for is more often used when a specific sign or symbol is used to represent or take the place of another specific thing. The $ is the symbol for US dollars.
- symbol of, on the other hand, tends to be used with abstract concepts. The dove is a symbol of peace in some cultures.