“Above” vs. “Over”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “above” and “over”

  • "Above" means an object or person is positioned higher than another, while "over" suggests an object or person is moving across the top of another.
  • "Above" can be used as a preposition or adverb, while "over" can be used as a preposition, adjective, or adverb.
  • Additionally, "above" is often used to describe hierarchy or level, while "over" is often used in terms of time or space.
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What is the definition of “above” and “over”?

Above
  • "Above" refers to a position that is higher than something else.
  • It can also be used to indicate a greater level of importance or power.
  • This word can be used in both physical and abstract contexts.
Over
  • "Over" refers to a position that covers or spans across something.
  • It can also indicate a conclusion or resolution of something.
  • This word can be used in both spatial and temporal contexts.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Over” is the more popular variant on the web.
Above
4,710,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. The bird was flying above the clouds.
  2. Her grade in the class was above average.
  3. The painting was hung above the mantle.
More popular
Over
11,740,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. The plane flew over the mountains.
  2. She jumped over the puddle to avoid getting wet.
  3. He became fluent in French over the span of five years.
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