to move over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to move over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking someone to shift their position or make space for someone or something else. Example: "Could you please move over a bit so I can sit down next to you?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Time for the peanut butter to move over?

Independent

"I thought it was a matter of getting them to move over," Ratner said.

The New York Times - Sports

Teach young people that we are not going to move over, nor do we have to.

The Guardian

I don't want to move over and make room for somebody else.

The Guardian - Books

"We older people need to move over and encourage these young people to rise up.

The Guardian

In large parts of the country, families have been forced to move over and over again.

The New York Times

"The most important thing the funders wanted to hear was that I was going to move over," Mitchell says.

The Washington Post

The decision to move over felt risky, since LinkedIn had a small team of less than a dozen editors.

Duke University

All will have the option to move over, but won't be required to.

TechCrunch

Males tend to move over longer distances than females.

Wikipedia

And so we thought it would be interesting for her to move over to Tony's side.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to move over" in writing, ensure the context is clear regarding who or what is being asked to shift position. Providing additional details can enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "to move over" in situations where a more precise verb is required, such as "relocate" or "transfer", which specify a more permanent change in location.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to move over" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically used as a verb to express an action or request for someone or something to shift their position. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is common and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

13%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to move over" is a common and versatile expression used to request or direct a shift in position. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely understood. Its usage spans from everyday conversations to more formal contexts, though it maintains a generally neutral register. The phrase finds frequent use in news media, wikis, and academic settings, indicating its broad applicability. While alternatives like "shift over" or "make way" exist, "to move over" remains a straightforward and easily understood way to ask someone to create space.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to shift over

Emphasizes a slight change in position or a small adjustment in placement.

to make way

Focuses on creating a clear path or space for someone or something to pass or proceed.

to give way

Implies yielding or surrendering one's position or space to another.

to step aside

Suggests moving out of the way, often to allow someone to pass or take precedence.

to budge over

Informal way of asking someone to move slightly to create more space.

to scoot over

Suggests a quick and small movement to make room.

to edge over

Indicates a gradual and cautious movement to shift position.

to pull over

Often used in the context of driving, meaning to move a vehicle to the side of the road.

to yield space

Formal way of indicating the act of giving up some area or room.

to clear the way

Emphasizes the act of removing obstacles to allow passage or progress.

FAQs

What does "to move over" mean?

The phrase "to move over" means to shift one's position to create space for someone or something else.

How can I use "to move over" in a sentence?

You can use it when asking someone to make room, like "Could you please "shift over" a little so I can sit here?"

What can I say instead of "to move over"?

Alternatives include "make way", "give way", or "step aside" depending on the context.

Is "to move over" formal or informal?

The phrase "to move over" is generally considered informal but acceptable in most everyday situations. In more formal settings, using a phrase like "to yield space" might be more appropriate.