When to use “Over” vs “More than”?

The usage of “over” and “more than” is one of the most common grammatical mistakes we witness. In daily conversation, these two terms are frequently used interchangeably. However, they have unique meanings and are used in different settings. In this blog article, we’ll look at the differences between “over” and “more than” and give some tips on when to use them.

First, let’s define them:

• “Over” is a preposition that means “above” or “higher than” in physical space or time. It can also be used as an adverb to indicate movement or direction, as in “He jumped over the fence.”
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• “More than” is a phrase used to compare quantities or numbers. It means “greater in amount or number than,” as “He has more than ten books.”

Examples:

1. Use “over” when referring to physical space or time:

• The aeroplane flew over the mountain range.
• The sun sets over the horizon.
• She placed her hand over his chin.
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2. Use “more than” when comparing quantities or numbers:

• He earns more than $20,000 a year.
• She has more than six siblings.
• They sold more than 5,000 vouchers for the concert.

It’s important to note that “over” can also be used to mean “more than” when referring to a specific amount or number.

For instance:

• The temperature was over 100 degrees celsius.
• The plan was over budget.
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In these cases, “over” indicates a quantity that exceeds a specific threshold or limit.

Now, let’s look at some common mistakes people make with these two words:

• Incorrect: There were over 50 people at the party.
• Correct: There were more than 50 people at the party.
• Incorrect: He is over seven feet tall.
• Correct: He is more than seven feet tall.

In both instances, “more than” should be used instead of “over” because we compare quantities or numbers, not physical space or time.

The terms “over” and “more than” have different meanings and used in different contexts. When comparing amounts or numbers, use “more than” when referring to physical space or time. To prevent frequent grammatical mistakes, consider the context and meaning of each word.