[General] usage of over and in

[tedphy]

Is there a difference of meaning in the following sentences.

1. The rate has increased IN the past 4 years.
2. The rate has increased OVER the past 4 years.

Thanks,
tedphy

 

[Plugged]

Not a teacher. I believe both mean during; no, there isn't a difference.

 

[billmcd]

Is there a difference of meaning in the following sentences.

1. The rate has increased IN the past 4 years.
2. The rate has increased OVER the past 4 years.

Thanks,
tedphy

I would infer no difference and, as Plugged posted, "during" is OK too.

 

[Barb_D]

I feel a slight difference with "over" -- it could imply that the increase has been gradual, perhaps in stages. With the "in" version it simply tells you that it's more now than four years ago. However, it could also be that the writer intended no difference at all.

 

[anishjp]

I feel a slight difference with "over" -- it could imply that the increase has been gradual, perhaps in stages. With the "in" version it simply tells you that it's more now than four years ago. However, it could also be that the writer intended no difference at all.

Hi,

So you intent to say that with "The rate has increased in the past 4 years", the rate increased towards the end of that 4 years and not a gradual increase from the begining of that 4 years?

Regards,
Anish
(Not a teacher - Correct me if I am wrong)

 

[Barb_D]

Hi,

So you intent to say that with "The rate has increased in the past 4 years", the rate increased towards the end of that 4 years and not a gradual increase from the begining of that 4 years?

Regards,
Anish
(Not a teacher - Correct me if I am wrong)

No, there's no implication about that at all.

It simply means that four years ago, I know it was X and now I know it's Y. I don't know if it went up a tiny bit in each of the four years, if it only went up one time last week, or if it went up only once, three and half years ago, and has been steady since then.

However, if you said "over the past four years" I might thing it was a little higher three years ago, a little higher than than two years ago, a bit higher yet last year, and now it's at its current rate.

 

[tedphy]

Thank you for your replies.

If I wanted to say the average loss rate of the past four years is X%, would it has different meaning if I say:

1) The loss rates average X% over the past four years. or
2) The loss rates average X% in the past four years

Thanks,
tedphy

 

[cubezero3]

No, there's no implication about that at all.

It simply means that four years ago, I know it was X and now I know it's Y. I don't know if it went up a tiny bit in each of the four years, if it only went up one time last week, or if it went up only once, three and half years ago, and has been steady since then.

However, if you said "over the past four years" I might thing it was a little higher three years ago, a little higher than than two years ago, a bit higher yet last year, and now it's at its current rate.

Hello, Barb_D.

May I ask whether this "than than two years ago" is a mistake? I've googled it and have found some news hits. One hit comes from CNN International. If it exists, what is the difference between it and the normal than?

Thanks

Richard

 

[Barb_D]

It was just a typo - sorry for any confusion it caused.

tedphy - because you refer to an average, which assume an increase of some sort in each year, though not (necessarily) the same increase, I don't find a difference in meaning in those last two example, but I would expect to hear the "over version.

 

[tedphy]

I wanted to say the average loss rate in past 4 years is X%. For example, the loss rates were 10%, 20%, 30, 10%, 5% then the average loss rate of the past years is (10% + 20% + 30% + 0%) / 4 = 15%.

 

[tedphy]

should I just use "average loss rate of the past year is X%" instead of "... over.. or .. in ....