November is a month represented by abundance. But when is it “more than,” and when is it “over”?

a cornucopia overflowing with autumn vegetables.

Usually, “more than” and “over” are interchangeable, but there are some times that the difference matters. Grammarly has some tips on when to use each, as well as some history on how the rule came about.

The words “over” and “more than” are both used to indicate greater quantity, but they have different shades of meaning and usage.

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

In some cases, 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 indicating 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: The population of China is more than 1.4 billion people.
  • More than: I like coffee more than tea.