Question

Above or over? Easily confused words

Accepted Answer

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/above-or-over When we use above as a preposition, it means ‘higher than’. Its meaning is close to that of the preposition over. In the following sentences, over can be used instead of above:The waves came up above her head and she started screaming. (or … came up over her head …)She is a nervous flier. But once the plane got above the clouds, she started to relax. (or … got over the clouds …)We use above, but not over, to refer to things that are at an upper or higher level:[a ‘chalet’ is a small wooden building usually found in mountainous areas]Do they live in that chalet above the village?Not: Do they live in that chalet over the village?We usually use above, but not over, when there is no contact between the things referred to. Over or on top of have a more general meaning, and can be used when one thing touches or covers another:They made her comfortable and put a blanket over her.Not: They made her comfortable and put a blanket above her.We normally use over not above with numbers:I get over sixty emails a day.Not: I get above sixty emails a day.If you weigh over 100 kilograms, then you may need to start a diet.Not: If you weigh above 100 kilogramsWarning: When we talk about temperatures in relation to zero or (the) average, we use above not over:It was three degrees above zero.Not: It was three degrees over zero.When we refer to temperatures in other contexts, we can normally use above or over:The temperature is already above 30 degrees. (or … over 30 degrees.) Typical errorsWe don’t use over to mean ‘higher level’.Most of the race is 500 metres above sea level.Not: Most of the race is 500 over sea level.We don’t use above when one thing touches or covers another.Pour some cream over the tart and serve it warm.Not: Pour some cream above the tartWe don’t use above with numbers.Over 100 people complained about the programme.Not: Above 100 people complainedSee also:  Overhttps://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/over  Beneathhttps://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/beneath  Abovehttps://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/above

Topic	Above or over?
Source	https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/above-or-over
Section	Easily confused words
Content	When we use above as a preposition, it means ‘higher than’. Its meaning is close to that of the preposition over. In the following sentences, over can be used instead of above: The waves came up above* her head and she started screaming.* (or … came up *over* her head …) She is a nervous flier. But once the plane got above* the clouds, she started to relax.* (or … got *over* the clouds …) We use above, but not over, to refer to things that are at an upper or higher level: [a ‘chalet’ is a small wooden building usually found in mountainous areas] Do they live in that chalet above* the village?* Not: ~~Do they live in that chalet over the village?~~ We usually use above, but not over, when there is no contact between the things referred to. Over or on top of have a more general meaning, and can be used when one thing touches or covers another: They made her comfortable and put a blanket over* her.* Not: ~~They made her comfortable and put a blanket above her~~. We normally use over not above with numbers: I get over* sixty emails a day.* Not: ~~I get above sixty emails a day~~. If you weigh over* 100 kilograms, then you may need to start a diet.* Not: ~~If you weigh above 100 kilograms~~ Warning: When we talk about temperatures in relation to zero or (the) average, we use above not over: It was three degrees above* zero.* Not: ~~It was three degrees over zero~~. When we refer to temperatures in other contexts, we can normally use above or over: The temperature is already above* 30 degrees.* (or … *over* 30 degrees.) Typical errors We don’t use over to mean ‘higher level’. Most of the race is 500 metres above* sea level.* Not: ~~Most of the race is 500 over sea level~~. We don’t use above when one thing touches or covers another. Pour some cream over* the tart and serve it warm.* Not: ~~Pour some cream above the tart~~ We don’t use above with numbers. Over 100 people complained about the programme. Not: ~~Above 100 people complained~~ See also: Over https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/over Beneath https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/beneath Above https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/above

Degrees Don’t Higher Head Started Refer Things Live

Typical errors