Over vs. More Than: What’s the Difference?

The words over and more than often confuse English learners because they can mean the same thing in some cases — but not in all.

While both can express amount or comparison, they have slightly different uses and tones.

Here’s the short rule:

• Over → physical position or quantity (often more informal)
• More than → numerical comparison, amount, or degree (often more precise)

1. When “Over” and “More Than” Mean the Same Thing

Meaning

When referring to numbers, ages, prices, or measurements, both over and more than are correct.
This is common in modern English — and even style guides (like AP Stylebook) now accept both.

Examples (10 total)

1. She’s over 30 years old. = She’s more than 30 years old.
2. The project cost over $1 million. = The project cost more than $1 million.
3. The team worked over 10 hours a day. = The team worked more than 10 hours a day.
4. There are over 500 people attending. = There are more than 500 people attending.
5. He saved over $5,000 last year. = He saved more than $5,000 last year.
6. The book has over 300 pages. = The book has more than 300 pages.
7. The company employs over 1,000 workers. = The company employs more than 1,000 workers.
8. She’s lived here for over 10 years. = She’s lived here for more than 10 years.
9. The video got over a million views. = The video got more than a million views.
10. We walked over five miles today. = We walked more than five miles today.

🧠 Tip:
If it’s about numbers, measurements, money, or time, both are fine.

“Over 100 students attended” ✅
“More than 100 students attended” ✅

2. When Only “Over” Is Correct

Meaning

Use over when describing position, movement, or covering — meaning something is above or across something else.

Examples (10 total)

1. The lamp hangs over the table.
2. The plane flew over the mountains.
3. She put a blanket over the baby.
4. The bridge goes over the river.
5. He jumped over the fence.
6. The sun is shining over the city.
7. The painting hangs over the fireplace.
8. The bird soared over the ocean.
9. There’s a roof over our heads.
10. She threw her jacket over the chair.

🧠 Tip:
If it involves height, movement, or direction, use over, not more than.

“The helicopter flew over the building.” ✅
“The helicopter flew more than the building.” ❌

3. When Only “More Than” Is Correct

Meaning

Use more than for comparisons of quality, emotion, or abstract ideas — where “over” doesn’t make sense.

Examples (10 total)

1. She’s more than happy to help.
2. He’s more than my teacher — he’s a friend.
3. It’s more than just a job; it’s a passion.
4. The situation is more than complicated.
5. I’m more than grateful for your help.
6. They’re more than ready for the challenge.
7. This book is more than interesting; it’s inspiring.
8. She’s more than capable of handling it.
9. It’s more than enough for today.
10. He’s more than excited to join the team.

🧠 Tip:
If it describes emotion, comparison, or abstract meaning, use more than, never over.

“I’m more than thankful.” ✅
“I’m over thankful.” ❌

4. Quick Comparison Table

5. Style and Tone Differences

• Over is shorter and more conversational.
  → Common in speech: “Over 100 people came.”

• More than sounds formal or precise.
  → Common in writing: “More than 100 people attended the event.”

In modern English, though, both are equally acceptable when talking about numbers or amounts.

6. How to Remember

👉 Over = above or across
👉 More than = greater in number, amount, or degree

💡 Memory Trick:

If you can count it, you can use both.
If you can fly over it or feel it, choose one carefully!

7. Common Mistakes

❌ She’s over happy to see you.
✅ She’s more than happy to see you.

❌ He jumped more than the fence.
✅ He jumped over the fence.

❌ We worked more than time limit.
✅ We worked over the time limit.
✅ We worked more than expected. (both okay depending on meaning)

8. Why It’s Confusing

Historically, grammarians argued that over should describe position, while more than should describe quantity.
But today, dictionaries and style guides (including AP, Merriam-Webster, and Oxford) say both are fine for numbers.

Modern grammar tools like Humanizey automatically adjust between over and more than based on tone — keeping your writing natural and professional.

FAQs

1. Can I use “over” for age or price?

Yes! She’s over 18 years old and The ticket costs over $50 are both correct.

2. Is “more than” more formal?

Yes — more than is often used in essays, reports, or formal writing.

3. Can I start a sentence with “over”?

Yes, but make sure it’s clear:

Over 100 people joined the club. ✅

4. Is it wrong to say “over 100 years ago”?

Not at all — it’s perfectly natural.

Practice: Choose the Correct Word (“Over” or “More Than”)

(Answers are listed at the end.)

1. She’s lived here for ___ 20 years.
2. The cat jumped ___ the wall.
3. I’m ___ happy to help.
4. The company has ___ 500 employees.
5. He looked ___ the fence to see inside.
6. The movie made ___ $1 billion worldwide.
7. This problem is ___ just difficult; it’s impossible.
8. They hung lights ___ the balcony.
9. There were ___ 1,000 people at the concert.
10. She earns ___ her coworkers.

Answers

1. over / more than (both OK)
2. over
3. more than
4. over / more than
5. over
6. over / more than
7. more than
8. over
9. over / more than
10. more than