WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM - Grammar Minute: More Than vs. Over

Episode Date: February 20, 2024

I have more than a hundred books. Or ... do I have over a hundred books? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Welcome to the Grammar Minute, where we're saving the English language 60 seconds at a time. I'm Lauren Smith, and I have more than 100 books. I have a great reading light over my bed. So what, you say? Well, did you notice that more than and over? Many people are tempted to use those to mean the same thing. I have over 100 books instead of I have more than 100 books. Now, you're expecting me to say that's incorrect. And personally, I don't like it. Just because you have more of something doesn't mean that it's taller or somehow above the smaller version, which in my mind is what the preposition over implies. But that doesn't mean it's technically wrong. The Associated Press style guide has consistently been a stickler for this rule, but even they recently changed their minds and said that over can be used in place of more than. So here's my advice, which you can take or leave.

Don't. That's your grammar minute.