Over or more than: Which one is correct?

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.

Historical preference

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.

Modern usage

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.

When to use over

"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).

When to use more than

"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.

Difference between "over" and "more than"

Both can overlap when expressing numerical quantities, but "more than" is generally preferred in formal writing.

Conclusion

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)

Test your understanding: "over" vs. "more than"

Match the examples that demonstrate the difference between "over" and "more than":

Match The Answer

Select an option from the left-hand side

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.

Frequently asked questions

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When should you use over?

“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.

When should you use more than?

Use “more than” to refer to numerical quantities or amounts (e.g., There are more than 50 people in the room).

Are over and more than interchangeable?

Yes, in modern usage, “over” and “more than” are often interchangeable when referring to numerical quantities (e.g., She earned over $1,000 or She earned more than $1,000).

Can I use "over" for quantities?

Yes, it is now widely accepted to use “over” for numerical quantities (e.g., Over 200 people attended the event).

Is "over" or "more than" correct for comparisons?

Both “over” and “more than” can be used for comparisons involving numerical quantities. For example, She has over 10 years of experience or She has more than 10 years of experience.

Which is better: "over" or "more than"?

Both are correct and widely accepted. Choose based on your sentence structure or preference, as there is no strict rule against using either for quantities.

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.