sphere over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sphere over" is not a standard expression in written English and may not be widely understood.
It could potentially be used in a specific context related to geometry or a metaphorical sense, but clarity would be needed for effective communication. Example: "The artist created a stunning installation that featured a sphere over the landscape, symbolizing unity."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

No need for the government to fund public transport or housing: turn the entire sphere over to thousands of mini-entrepreneurs and let the market work its magic.

The Guardian - Opinion

When Bubblegum places this sphere over the circle, she seems to break the fourth wall, turning the TV into a lens.

The New Yorker

Two thousand miles from Cairo, it serves as a window onto the vast polarization of the Egyptian political sphere over the past twelve months, which culminated two weeks ago with the military-backed government's designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as an illegal "terrorist organization".

The New Yorker

A series of bistatic radar cross sections of a perfectly conducting sphere over a frequency range were processed on one shared and three distributed memory computers.

Journal of Computational Physics

The latter, in turn, reflects three things: résumé (a prime minister is more powerful than a senator); the size of the economic sphere over which a leader holds sway; and a multiplier that aims to make different economic yardsticks comparable.

Forbes

The latter, in turn, reflects three things: résumé (a prime minister is more powerful than a senator); the size of the economic sphere over which a leader holds sway; and a multiplier that aims to make different financial yardsticks comparable.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

When the public is removed, the private sphere takes over, charging more, and often creating unaccountable monopolies that bilk the public.

Huffington Post

"She was among dozens who spotted the mysterious flashing orangey-yellow spheres over Lincolnshire..."...

The Guardian

With none of the same resources, I have compared and modelled my life to the wisdom of the spheres over a seven-day period.

The Guardian

Remaining childless is a process which is influenced by the continuously changing context in which an individual woman lives, and by the many choices she makes in various life spheres over her life course.

Advances in Life Course Research

A generalized description of the rebound of spherical drops or solid spheres over a wall is proposed using two parameters: a coefficient of restitution that compares the velocity of restitution to the velocity before impact and the contact time with the wall.

Chemical Engineering Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sphere over", ensure the context clearly establishes whether you're referring to a literal sphere positioned above something or a metaphorical sphere of influence or control.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "sphere over" always implies spatial relationships. It can also represent influence or dominance, so clarify your intended meaning to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sphere over" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often used to describe spatial relationships where a sphere is positioned above something. As Ludwig notes, it may also be used metaphorically to denote influence or control. It is used to add detail, indicating a relationship between two nouns.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sphere over" is a somewhat uncommon prepositional phrase that can denote either a spatial relationship—a sphere positioned above something—or, more metaphorically, a domain of influence or control. As Ludwig AI indicates, the acceptability of the phrase depends heavily on context, and in many situations, alternatives like "domain over" or "influence over" may offer greater clarity. Its usage is split primarily between scientific and news media contexts, suggesting a register ranging from neutral to formal. While grammatically sound, writers should ensure the intended meaning is clear to avoid potential misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

globe above

Uses "globe" as a synonym for "sphere" and "above" to emphasize vertical position.

sphere above

Emphasizes a higher spatial position; "above" indicates a direct vertical relationship, whereas "over" can imply covering or influence.

domain over

Focuses on control or influence in a specific area or field, shifting from a physical sphere to an abstract realm.

influence over

Highlights the power to affect or sway something, removing the spatial component of "sphere" entirely.

reign over

Implies a ruling or dominant presence, often used in metaphorical contexts of control.

ascend above

Suggests rising to a position of superiority, changing the noun "sphere" to a verb "ascend".

circle above

Emphasizes the geometric shape in a higher location; "circle" is a two-dimensional form, different from "sphere".

area above

Generalizes the shape to an "area" while maintaining the positional context with "above".

space above

Replaces the specific form of a "sphere" with the more general "space", while using "above" for positioning.

authority over

Focuses on having power or control, completely omitting the spatial sense of the original phrase.

FAQs

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

You can use "sphere over" to describe a physical object positioned above something, such as "a glass sphere over a miniature landscape", or metaphorically to indicate influence or control, such as "a sphere of influence over trade routes".

What does "sphere over" mean?

The phrase "sphere over" can refer to a literal placement of a spherical object above something else. It can also metaphorically describe a domain of control or influence exerted over something.

What are some alternatives to "sphere over"?

Some alternatives include "sphere above", "domain over", or "influence over", depending on the specific meaning you intend to convey.

Is "sphere over" grammatically correct?

Yes, "sphere over" is grammatically acceptable, though not a standard expression. Its appropriateness depends on the context. Using "influence over" or other more common phrases might improve clarity.