Though it’s no longer official,* over is widely considered incorrect when used in front of a number; the correct term is more than. You’ll have learned more than you need to know once you’ve read over this lesson.
When to Use More than in Sentences
More than means “in excess of” when followed by a number or an adverb of quantity.
- I have more than 10 pairs of black shoes.
- More than 50% of the citizens voted this year.
- They have more than enough money to live comfortably.
More than can also be split by a noun or clause to make a comparison:
- I have more shoes than my sister does.
- 50% more people voted this year than last year.
- They have more money than sense.
When to Use Over in Sentences
Over can be a preposition or an adverb and has numerous meanings and uses, but only one matters for the purposes of this lesson.
| Meanings | Usage |
| More than in degree, quantity, or extent | over ten miles; over a thousand dollars |
| more than | Most of the carpets cost/are over $100; cost over $5 |
| in excess of; more than | over a mile; not over five dollars. |
| Higher or more than (a specified number or quantity) | over 40 degrees C’ |
As you can see, over meaning more than is permissable according to many dictionaries, both American and British, which makes this “error” seem pretty arbitrary.
Interestingly, when the term is preceded by “just,” over has to be used because more than simply doesn’t sound right:
- Just over 50% of the class attended the pep rally.
Just more than 50% of the class attended the pep rally. - It cost just over $5.
It cost just more than $5.
We hope this short guide gave you a good insight on how to use ‘more than’ and ‘over’. Stay tuned to EnglishBix for more English resources.