“Over” is primarily used as a preposition to indicate something being above or on top of something else, or to mean “in excess of.” It works well in figurative language or conversational contexts.
Key takeaways:
Both "over" and "more than" can be used to describe numerical quantities in modern English.
"Over" often emphasizes spatial or metaphorical relationships but is now accepted for quantities.
"More than" traditionally highlights numeric comparisons.
Part of the series Grammar Debugged—English for Devs
When it comes to writing or speaking, people often wonder whether to use "over" or "more than." Are they interchangeable? Does context determine the choice? Let’s explore the differences and clarify when to use each.
Traditionally, grammar experts disagreed that "more than" should be used with numerical quantities, while "over" should indicate spatial relationships. For example:
More than: She has more than 50 books.
Over: The plane flew over the city.
This distinction, however, has evolved over time.
Today, both "over" and "more than" are widely accepted when referring to numbers or quantities. Authorities like the Associated Press Stylebook now allow "over" in contexts previously reserved for "more than." For example:
The company earned over $1 million last year.
The company earned more than $1 million last year.
Both sentences are grammatically correct, though personal or stylistic preferences may lean toward one.
"Over" is a versatile preposition that traditionally referred to physical or abstract placement above something. Over time, it has evolved to describe numerical quantities as well.
Pronunciation of "Over":
"Over" rhymes with "clover" and "rover."
Examples of "Over":
Spatial relationship: The bridge is over the river.
Abstract usage: She has worked here for over 10 years.
Numerical usage: The company earned over $1 million last year.
To remember: "Over" emphasizes above-ness (physical, abstract, or numerical).
"More than" has traditionally been the preferred phrase for numerical comparisons, focusing on quantity or extent. It’s more formal and less flexible than "over."
Pronunciation of "More than":
"More" rhymes with "bore" and "store," while "than" rhymes with "man" and "plan."
Examples of "More than":
Numerical comparison: There were more than 100 attendees at the conference.
Extent or quantity: She has more than enough experience for this job.
Abstract usage: I value honesty more than anything else.
To remember: "More than" focuses on numeric or comparative contexts.
Both can overlap when expressing numerical quantities, but "more than" is generally preferred in formal writing.
Aspect | Over | More than |
Usage | Used for spatial, abstract, or numeric relationships. | Used primarily for numeric comparisons or extent. |
Formality | Informal or conversational. | Formal and precise. |
Examples | Over $5,000, over the wall. | More than $5,000, more than 50 people. |
Acceptance | Increasingly used for quantities in modern English. | Historically preferred for numbers. |
Fill in the blanks with "over" or "more than":
There are ______ 200 species of birds in the region.
He jumped ______ the fence to catch the ball.
The project costs ______ $10,000 to complete.
The meeting lasted ______ three hours.
Using “over” incorrectly:
Using “more than” incorrectly:
Both "over" and "more than" are acceptable for quantities in modern English, though "more than" remains preferred for formal or precise comparisons. The choice often depends on context and tone.
"Over" works for spatial relationships and is increasingly common for numbers.
"More than" emphasizes numerical comparisons or extents.
Examples:
"Over 500 people attended the event." (modern usage)
"More than 500 people attended the event." (traditional usage)
Match the examples that demonstrate the difference between "over" and "more than":
He jumped ______ the wall to escape the dog.
more than
She has ______ 10 years of experience in teaching.
over
The bird flew ______ the roof of the house.
There were ______ 300 guests at the wedding.
The coffee spilled ______ the table and onto the floor.
The movie lasted ______ two and a half hours.
The bridge stretches ______ the river.
The team scored ______ 100 points in the game.
The decorations hung ______ the door beautifully.
The book weighs ______ five pounds.
Master tricky grammar like this and boost your writing skills with our comprehensive course: Grokking the Technical Writing Process
Haven’t found what you were looking for? Contact Us
To enhance technical writing and minimize common grammar mistakes, continue exploring these topics:
Commonly confused words (homophones & similar-sounding words): These words sound alike but have different meanings and spellings.
Prepositions & usage differences: These words and phrases are often confused due to subtle contextual differences.
Punctuation & formatting: These involve rules for using dashes, abbreviations, and sentence structure.
Grammar & sentence structure: These deal with pronoun choices, verb usage, and comparison.
Free Resources