Preposition – “Over”
Over
Over and under are often considered opposites when used as prepositions indicating position or location.
Over typically means above or on top of something.
Under typically means below or beneath something.
For example:
The book is over the table.
(It’s on top of the table.)
The cat is under the table.
(It’s beneath the table.)
However, it’s essential to remember that context can influence the interpretation.
In some cases, over and under can have other meanings, and they might not always be strict opposites.
Over with different meanings:
The preposition over has several meanings and can be used in various contexts.
Here are some of its meanings, with examples:
Above or on top of:
The plane flew over the city.
The cat jumped over the fence.
Across or from one side to the other:
She walked over the bridge.
He swam over the river.
Beyond or exceeding a certain limit:
The temperature soared over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
The project went over budget.
During a certain period:
We chatted over coffee.
The meeting will take place over the weekend.
Throughout or covering a certain area:
The fog hung over the valley.
The blanket was draped over the couch.
In control or supervision of:
The manager has authority over the employees.
She has power over the decision-making process.
In reference to a topic or subject:
They had a heated argument over politics.
The book provides a detailed explanation over this topic.
In relation to or concerning:
She worried over his health.
We talked over our plans for the future.
Supporting or favouring:
Most of the audience was over 40 years old.
The majority voted in favour, with a few over against.
In a higher position or rank:
She was promoted over her colleagues.
He’s the best player on the team, hands down over his teammates.
With an implied idea of movement or action:
The car drove over the hill.
He tripped and fell over the curb.
To indicate a change or transformation:
The company went through many changes over the years.
She transformed her life over time.
To indicate control or influence:
The evil wizard cast a spell over the kingdom.
The feeling of sadness hung over the room.
Over as an adverb:
Over can also function as an adverb in certain contexts. As an adverb, it typically conveys the idea of movement, extent, or completion.
Here are some examples of over used as an adverb:
Extent or degree:
She was so happy, she danced all night and over.
The river froze solid, and you could walk over to the other side.
Completion or finishing something:
The project is finally over, and we can relax.
They sang the song over and over again until they got it right.
In a continuous motion:
He jumped on the ice and glided over.
The aeroplane flew over.
In a downward or falling motion:
The vase fell off the shelf and shattered over.
The rain poured over heavily.
In these cases, over serves as an adverb describing how an action is performed or the extent of something.
It’s important to consider the context to determine whether over is functioning as a preposition or an adverb in a sentence.
Over + common verbs:
When over is used in combination with common verbs, it often adds emphasis or intensity to the action, but it may not significantly change the core meaning of the verb.
Here are some examples of common verb phrases with over and their meanings:
Talk over: discuss, or consider thoroughly.
Let’s talk over the plan before making a decision.
Think over: contemplate, or reflect upon.
I need to think over the job offer before accepting it.
Go over: review, or examine.
Please go over the report one more time for errors.
Look over: inspect, or examine carefully.
The mechanic will look over the car to find the problem.
Read over: peruse, or review written material.
After writing the essay, he will read it over for corrections.
Run over: collide with or pass over something with a vehicle.
Be careful not to run over the curb while parking.
Boil over: overflow, or spill over the container while boiling.
Watch the pot closely; it might boil over if left unattended.
Fall over: tumble, or tip over.
The chair was old and unstable, causing it to fall over easily.
Cry over: grieve, or express sadness about something.
She tends to cry over sad movies.
Win over: persuade, or gain someone’s favor.
His charisma helped him win over the sceptical audience.
Turnover: rotate, or change position.
Please turn over the page to continue reading.
Hand over: surrender, or give something to someone.
The suspect was required to hand over his weapon.
In these cases, over often reinforces the action described by the verb or indicates a more comprehensive or deliberate manner of performing the action.
However, the core meaning of the verb remains largely intact.
Over + word expressions:
Here are some word expressions and idiomatic phrases that use the word over:
Over and above: in addition to or beyond what is expected or required.
She received a bonus over and above her regular salary.
Over the moon: extremely happy or delighted.
They were over the moon when they found out they were expecting a baby.
Over the top: excessive or extravagant; going beyond reasonable limits.
His birthday party decorations were completely over-the-top.
Over the hill: no longer young or in one’s prime; past the best years of life.
He jokingly said that he’s over the hill now that he’s turned 40.
Over and done with: completed or finished; no longer an issue.
The argument is over and done with; there’s no need to bring it up again.
Over my dead body: a strong refusal to allow or permit something.
You can’t borrow my car! Well, you can have it over my dead body!
Over the top: in a way that is excessive, extravagant, or melodramatic.
The actor’s performance was criticised for being over the top.
Over the counter: available without a prescription; referring to medications or products that can be bought directly from a store.
You can purchase this pain reliever over-the-counter at any pharmacy.
Over the weekend: during the period from Friday evening to Sunday evening.
We’re planning a trip over the weekend.
Over and out is a phrase used in radio communication to indicate the end of a conversation.
The pilot radioed, “We’re ready to land, over and out.”
Over the top of one’s head, without understanding or comprehension.
The math problem was so challenging that it went completely over the top of my head.
Over and beyond: in addition to exceeding what is expected.
Her dedication to her job goes over and beyond what’s required.
Over the river and through the woods is a phrase often used to describe a journey to a distant or rural location.
We had to drive over the river and through the woods to reach their cabin in the mountains.
All over the place: everywhere or in various locations.
We searched for the lost keys all over the place but couldn’t find them.
Over the phone: through a telephone conversation.
They negotiated the contract over the phone due to their long-distance collaboration.
Over the years: throughout a long period of time.
The town has evolved and grown over the years.
Over and above the call of duty: going beyond what is required or expected, often used to praise someone’s exceptional effort.
His dedication to helping others went over and above the call of duty.
Over time: gradually, as time passes.
Over time, their friendship grew stronger.
These phrases and sentences demonstrate the versatility of the word over in various contexts and expressions.
Comparison of the Prepositions “In” and “At”