over the internet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "over the internet" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that happens, exists, or is done using the Internet. For example: "I bought my tickets for the concert over the internet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How did cats take over the Internet?

Los Angeles Times

When did cats take over the internet?

Huffington Post

Over the Internet?

The New York Times

It's "all over the Internet".

The Economist

By asking for money over the internet.

The Economist

Fakery is all over the Internet.

The New York Times - Tech

And it is all over the internet.

Independent

"Voting over the internet?

The Guardian - Tech

It's all over the internet".

The Guardian

Dogs Took Over the Internet.

The New York Times - Arts

Cats have already taken over the internet.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To maintain clarity, especially in technical writing, specify protocols (e.g., HTTP, HTTPS) when describing specific data transfer methods

Common error

Avoid using "over the internet" when "online" or "digitally" is more appropriate. "Over the internet" specifies the transmission medium, while "online" describes availability or interaction and "digitally" describes the nature of the information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over the internet" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to specify how or where an action occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. The examples provided illustrate its use in describing various activities conducted online.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "over the internet" is a grammatically sound and highly prevalent way to describe activities, services, and information accessed or transmitted via the internet. As noted by Ludwig AI, it’s widely accepted and used across various contexts. Its primary function is adverbial, specifying the medium of transmission. While its register is generally neutral, the level of formality can shift depending on the surrounding context. Key alternatives to consider include "online", "via the internet", and "on the internet". When employing this phrase, ensure it distinctly clarifies that the action or information is conveyed through the internet, rather than merely being 'available'. As demonstrated by its extensive use in news, scientific literature, and wikis, "over the internet" remains a vital component of modern communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

via the internet

Substitutes "over" with "via", emphasizing the medium through which something is transmitted.

using the internet

Highlights the act of employing the internet as a tool or method.

across the internet

Emphasizes the distribution or spread of something using the internet.

on the internet

Uses "on" instead of "over", indicating a location or platform.

online

Replaces the prepositional phrase with a single adjective referring to being connected to the internet.

through the web

Replaces "internet" with "web", highlighting the World Wide Web aspect.

by means of the internet

A more formal way to express using the internet as a medium or tool.

on the World Wide Web

Specifies the World Wide Web as the platform, a subset of the internet.

digitally

A broad term referring to actions or data in digital form, often implying internet usage.

electronically

Indicates transmission or action using electronic means, which often includes the internet.

FAQs

How can I use "over the internet" in a sentence?

Use "over the internet" to specify that something is transmitted or accessed using the internet. For example, "You can submit your application "over the internet"" or "The data is transmitted securely "over the internet"".

What are some alternatives to "over the internet"?

Alternatives include "online", "via the internet", or "on the internet" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "on the internet" or "over the internet"?

Both "on the internet" and "over the internet" are commonly used and generally interchangeable. "On the internet" emphasizes the location or platform, while "over the internet" emphasizes the transmission medium.

What does it mean when something is available "over the internet"?

When something is available "over the internet", it means it can be accessed or transmitted using the internet as a medium. This implies it's accessible through a network connection.