over

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "over" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate "above" or "higher than" something, to mean "finished" or "ended," or to talk about exchanging things. For example, "I tossed the ball over the fence to my neighbor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Thank God it's over.

The Guardian - Music

"It's not over yet.

The New York Times

It's over now".

The New York Times

IT WAS over in less than three minutes.

The Economist

"It was debated over and over again.

The New York Times

Details of the payment emerged in a report by the public spending watchdog published on Wednesday, which revealed that senior managers at the BBC were paid nearly £2m more than they were contractually obliged to over a three-year period.

The Guardian

"We're working hard over the holiday period to make the necessary adjustments to our timetable as a consequence, and to provide as much information as we can".

The Guardian - Business

The government should not tell women what to wear, the home secretary has said, amid ongoing debate over the use of full-face veils.

The Guardian

"Even the angel Gabriel would struggle to survive with that hanging over his head.

The Guardian

The party's over.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He said he'd got bored – he couldn't imagine lining up another over-the-shoulder shot.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "over" to indicate completion, ensure the context is clear. For instance, "The game is over" is straightforward, but "I'm over it" requires understanding of what 'it' refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "over" when a simpler preposition like "on" or "at" is more appropriate. For example, instead of "The book is over the table", use "The book is on the table."

Linguistic Context

The word "over" functions as a versatile element in English, acting as a preposition, adverb, adjective, noun, or interjection. Its primary role involves indicating position, completion, or review, as supported by Ludwig AI's analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Sport

25%

Business

15%

Less common in

Lifestyle

10%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "over" is a highly versatile word in the English language, functioning as a preposition, adverb, adjective, noun, and interjection. It commonly indicates position, completion, or review, and its usage is deemed grammatically correct by Ludwig AI. Examples from sources like The Guardian and The New York Times highlight its prevalence in news, sports, and business contexts. To use "over" effectively, consider the context to ensure clarity, and avoid substituting it for simpler prepositions when possible. Explore alternative phrases like "above", "finished", or "regarding" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

above

Indicates a position higher than something else; focuses on vertical placement.

finished

Emphasizes the completion of an event or activity; highlights the end state.

regarding

Highlights the topic or subject being discussed; focuses on the content of conversation.

across

Implies movement or extension from one side to another; focuses on horizontal displacement.

concerning

Indicates the matter to which something relates; stresses relevance or connection.

on top of

Highlights a physical position directly above another object; emphasizes the superior placement.

in excess of

Implies a quantity or amount greater than a specified limit; focuses on exceeding a threshold.

throughout

Suggests extension or presence in every part of a place or time; emphasizes comprehensive coverage.

past

Indicates movement beyond a specific point or time; stresses surpassing or exceeding.

beyond

Highlights being further than a specified limit; focuses on exceeding expectations or boundaries.

FAQs

How can I use "over" in a sentence to indicate position?

Use "over" to show that something is above something else, such as, "The plane flew "over the city"".

What's the difference between "over" and "above"?

"Over" often implies movement or covering, while "above" typically indicates a static position. For instance, "The bird flew "over the house"" suggests movement, whereas "The lamp is "above the table"" indicates position.

When can I use "over" to mean "finished"?

Use "over" to indicate that something has ended, like, "The meeting is "finished"". In such instances, "finished" or "completed" are also suitable.

How can I avoid misusing "over" in my writing?

Ensure that the context supports the intended meaning, whether it's position, completion, or another sense. When in doubt, consider simpler prepositions or alternative phrases to clarify your meaning.