over anything

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "over anything" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a preference or priority for one thing above all others. Example: "I would choose chocolate cake over anything else for dessert."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They just fight over anything".

The New York Times - Tech

I don't have to turn over anything to the Goldmans.

The New Yorker

"Until the war is over, anything is legal".

The Guardian

They just take over anything the media says".

Huffington Post

Don't make your friend bring over anything except something to drink.

WikiHow

Over anything.

The Washington Post

She wasn't over anything.

The New Yorker

We fight over anything.

The New York Times

I would explode, verbally, over anything.

The New York Times

They weren't over anything real.

The New York Times

"And nobody's fighting over anything".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, consider the level of formality required by your audience. While generally acceptable, "above all else" might be more appropriate in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "over anything" when the comparison isn't explicit or clear. Ensure the reader understands what "anything" refers to in the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over anything" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating priority or preference. As stated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct. Examples in Ludwig show it being used to express what is valued or preferred most in a given situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "over anything" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to express preference or priority. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. Its frequency is categorized as "very common", primarily appearing in "News & Media" and "Wiki" contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to ensure clarity in comparisons. Alternatives like "more than anything" or "above all else" can offer different shades of emphasis. When using "over anything", ensure that the scope of comparison is clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than anything

Replaces "over" with "more than", emphasizing the degree of preference.

above all else

Formal alternative, highlighting the supreme importance of something.

before anything else

Indicates temporal priority, suggesting something must be done first.

rather than anything

Expresses a distinct preference, choosing one option while rejecting all others.

in preference to anything

Formal and emphatic, indicating a clear choice.

instead of anything

Highlights substitution, choosing one thing to the exclusion of others.

to the exclusion of anything

Strongly emphasizes the rejection of all alternatives.

more importantly than anything

Focuses on the relative importance of different factors.

taking precedence over everything

Emphasizes the act of exceeding other things.

as opposed to anything

Presents a contrast, highlighting a specific alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "over anything" in a sentence?

Use "over anything" to show a preference. For instance, "I value honesty "over anything" else in a relationship."

What are some alternatives to saying "over anything"?

Consider using phrases such as "more than anything", "above all else", or "before anything else" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "over anything" and "over everything"?

While similar, "over anything" implies a specific priority among options, while "over everything" suggests a general supremacy. The choice depends on the intended emphasis.

When is it best to use "over anything" in writing?

Use "over anything" when you want to clearly express that one thing is more important or preferable compared to all other possibilities. For example: "Winning the game was preferred "over anything" else."