have over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'have over' is not correct and not usable in written English.
You would not use this phrase in written English. Instead, you could use the phrase 'come over': Could you come over for dinner tonight?.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

"It's something we have over, say, Canada".

The New York Times

Now we have over 1,000.

The New York Times

We have over 5,000 square feet.

The New York Times

Half of all lycée classes now have over 30 pupils; some have over 40.

The Economist

They have over 400.

Forbes

Levanon: We have over 600 companies.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

They have over-intellectualised it".

The Guardian

They have over-performed and over-delivered.

BBC

You have over-investment in mediocre companies".

Los Angeles Times

Therefore principal component-based correction could have over-compensated.

Brain

Conversely, young males may have over-reported their consumption patterns.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating quantities, use "more than" or "over" instead of "have over". For example, use "We have more than 100 employees" or "We have over 100 employees".

Common error

Avoid using "have over" when describing quantities in formal contexts. While common in speech, it is often seen as less precise than "more than" or "exceeds".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have over" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, often intending to express possession of an amount exceeding a certain number, though this usage is generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, this usage isn't ideal in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

21%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "have over" is frequently used, particularly in informal contexts like news and media, Ludwig AI notes that it's generally considered grammatically incorrect when used to indicate exceeding a quantity. Instead, alternatives such as "more than" or simply "over" are recommended for clarity and grammatical correctness. It's crucial to consider the context and register when choosing the appropriate phrasing, avoiding "have over" in formal writing. The primary function, though debated, is to quantify something as greater than a value. The usage patterns, register and the grammatical issues associated with the phrase are all important considerations for any writer.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have in excess of

Highlights the surplus or extra amount beyond a certain threshold.

possess more than

Emphasizes the concept of exceeding a particular amount in terms of ownership or quantity.

exceed

Focuses on surpassing a limit or expectation, which is a direct similarity to having more than.

have beyond

Suggests possessing something that goes further than a specified limit.

to have surpassing

Stresses exceeding or outdoing a particular level or quantity.

invite to one's home

Focuses specifically on the act of inviting someone to your residence, replacing the phrasal verb aspect.

ask to come by

A more informal way to invite someone to visit your place.

welcome as a guest

Highlights the welcoming aspect of having someone visit.

have as a visitor

Directly indicates the act of someone visiting you.

host

A concise term for the act of receiving and entertaining guests.

FAQs

How can I use "have over" correctly?

While "have over" is commonly used to mean possessing more than a certain amount, it's often seen as grammatically incorrect. Instead, consider using "more than" or simply "over".

What can I say instead of "have over"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "more than", "exceed", or "in excess of" to express having more than a specific amount.

Which is correct, "have over 100" or "have more than 100"?

Although "have over 100" is frequently used, "have more than 100" is generally considered more grammatically correct and suitable for formal writing. Alternatively you can simply say "over 100".

What's the difference between "have over" and "invite over"?

"Have over" typically (although incorrectly) means possessing an amount exceeding a certain number, whereas "invite over" means to invite someone to your home.