November is a month represented by abundance. But when is it “more than,” and when is it “over”?
The words “over” and “more than” are both used to show greater quantity, but they have different shades of meaning and usage.
Usually, “more than” and “over” are interchangeable, but there are sometimes when the difference matters. Grammarly has some tips on when to use each, as well as some history on how the rule came about.
When to use “over”
- To describe physical positioning
- To indicate an approximate quantity
- To express a sense of surprise or exaggeration
When to use “more than”
- To make a specific comparison
- To indicate a precise quantity
- To express a sense of preference or degree
Sometimes, the words “over” and “more than” can be used interchangeably. However, it is generally considered more formal to use “more than” when making a specific comparison or showing a precise quantity.
Example sentences:
- Over: The bird flew over my head.
- Over: The cost of the project is over $1 million.
- Over: I’m over the moon with excitement!
- More than: I have more than $100 in my wallet.
- More than: Municipalities in more than 26 states are now using OnBoardGOV.
- More than: I like coffee more than tea.