For

Question

A television advertisement claims that a certain brand of cough drop reduces coughing for 8 hours. What does 'for' here refer to? For an example, when you haven't taken the drop, you coughed 150 times in an hour, then you took the drop, you coughed 100 times in the second hour, then you coughed 50 times in the third hour, 40 times in the fourth hour and so on. Does it mean the coughing times will be less and less in 8 hours? Or it means if you take the drop, the coughing times will reduce comparing to the times when you haven't taken, but it doesn't guarantee that the coughing times in each hour will be less and less.

Thanks for your answers.

Marius Hancu · Accepted Answer

"Reduces coughing for 8 hours"

This basically says that the effect of the drug is felt for 8 hours only. No details can be incurred from that.

It may mean that if counted your coughing for 8 hours after taking the medication, the total count of coughing instances (coughs) might be smaller than when not taking it.

Or it may mean that your cough, while keeping the same count, will be less harsh/intense.

CalifJim · Answer

>>>the coughing times will reduce comparing to the times when you haven't taken

This one. This is what it means.

reduces coughing for 8 hours = reduces coughing (immediately) and the reduced coughing rate you experience immediately after taking it will continue (at that same reduced rate) during the following eight-hour period.

CJ

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