to hover above

USAGE SUMMARY

"to hover above" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that remains suspended in the air over a particular location. Example: The drone began to hover above the crowd, capturing the event from above. Alternative expressions include "to float over" and "to remain aloft."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It knows that allowing prices to hover above the $30 mark hampers global economic growth.

The New York Times

Yields on 10-year Greek bonds continued to hover above 7 percent on Wednesday.

The New York Times

A library, swimming pools and diving boards all appear to hover above the site.

The New York Times - Arts

Skyscrapers seem to hover above us, and their reflections make them appear twice as tall.

The New York Times

But that figure is now generally expected to hover above 3.2percentt.

The New York Times

Stargher walks around with rings hanging from his back; he likes to hover above his victims, suspended by chains.

The New York Times

Fire brigades send similar machines to hover above major blazes, feeding images back to their control rooms.

The Guardian

A woman in a white dress walks on a mountain bluff, seeming to hover above the earth like a ghost.

The Washington Post

While Michigan's economy has recovered substantially since the economic crisis, its unemployment level has continued to hover above national averages.

The New York Times

In releasing the rover, the descent stage is required to hover above the lunar surface at a certain height until the rover meets safe landing conditions.

Advances in Space Research

Reading her, I understood that poets were not meant to hover above the world; poems were burned in the grief, loneliness and outrage of the world.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to hover above" when describing a stable, suspended position over a specific location. For example, "The drone began to hover above the crowd, capturing the event from above."

Common error

While "to hover above" can be used metaphorically, overusing it can make your writing sound cliché. Consider more precise verbs to describe abstract concepts; for instance, instead of "doubts hovered above his mind", try "doubts plagued his mind."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to hover above" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often part of an infinitive clause, describing the action of remaining suspended in the air over something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to hover above" is a grammatically correct and frequently used infinitive phrase that describes the action of remaining suspended in the air over something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its versatility extends to both literal and figurative contexts, spanning across news and media, science, and the arts. Although it is very common, considering alternative expressions such as "to float over" or "to be suspended above" can add nuance and precision to your writing. Remember to avoid overuse in metaphorical contexts to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be suspended above

Highlights the act of being held aloft by an external force.

to float over

Focuses on a gentle, undirected movement in the air above something.

to be positioned over

Emphasizes the deliberate placement or location above something.

to be poised above

Highlights a state of readiness or anticipation while being positioned above something.

to hang over

Implies a more stationary position directly over something, often with a sense of looming.

to ascend above

Focuses on the action of moving upwards to a position above.

to be aloft over

A more formal way of saying to be in the air above something.

to rise above

Indicates overcoming something to reach a superior or elevated position.

to loom over

Suggests a large or imposing presence positioned above, often threateningly.

to overfly

Implies the action of flying over something.

FAQs

What does "to hover above" mean?

The phrase "to hover above" means to remain in one place in the air over something, suggesting a stable or suspended position. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something that seems to be suspended or undecided.

What are some alternatives to "to hover above"?

You can use alternatives like "to float over", "to hang over", or "to be suspended above" depending on the context.

How can I use "to hover above" in a sentence?

You can use "to hover above" to describe physical objects or abstract concepts. For example: "The helicopter began to hover above the landing pad," or "A sense of unease seemed to hover above the negotiations."

Is it correct to use "to hover over" instead of "to hover above"?

While both "to hover over" and "to hover above" can be used, "to hover above" specifically indicates a position in the air above something, whereas "to hover over" can also imply a more general proximity or focus. The choice depends on the intended meaning.