cover vs. occupy

[hirashin]

Hello, everyone.

I have another question about English.

Are the following sentences used meaning the same thing?

(a) Tropical rain forests only cover seven percent of the Earth's surface.
(b) Tropical rain forests only occupy seven percent of the Earth's surface.

Please correct my English if needed.

Thanks in advance.

Hirashin

 

[Casualguy393]

Hello, everyone.
I have another question about English.
Are the following sentences used meaning the same thing?
(a) Tropical rain forests only cover seven percent of the Earth's surface.
(b) Tropical rain forests only occupy seven percent of the Earth's surface.
Please correct my English if needed.
Thanks in advance.
Hirashin

Typically, we use "Occupy" for living things, and "cover" to convey a spatial area.
So, (A) is correct.

For (B), we would say "10 people occupied the elevator", or "the restaurant occupancy is 148 people."

Hope this helps

 

[hirashin]

Thanks for the help, Casualguy393 san. Arigatou. I appreciate it.

 

[Casualguy393]

You are welcome Hirashin. Call me CG