Key Difference

In general, “more than” is preferred when discussing countable quantities or measurable comparisons, like numbers, amounts, or ages. “Over” is often used to imply spatial or metaphorical coverage (like “over the hill”) but can sometimes substitute “more than” informally in quantity comparisons.

Example:

• “More than 100 people attended the event.”
• “She has over 5 years of experience.”

Usage Breakdown

1. Using “More Than”

“More than” specifically implies a count or amount greater than a given number. It’s more straightforward in formal or quantitative contexts, like finance, statistics, and age.

• When to Use: Quantitative or countable amounts, such as:
  • Number of items, like “There are more than 50 books on the shelf.”
  • Time or age, like “He is more than 30 years old.”
  • Money, like “The donation was more than $1,000.”
• Examples:
  • “There are more than 300 participants in the marathon.”
  • “He has saved more than $500 for his trip.”

2. Using “Over”

“Over” traditionally implies physical or metaphorical positioning. However, it’s also used informally to represent amounts, especially in spoken English or casual writing.

• When to Use: Informally in quantity comparisons or when discussing measurements that might have a physical or metaphorical range.
  • For spatial context, like “The plane flew over the mountains.”
  • Informal quantity, like “She’s collected over 200 stamps.”
• Examples:
  • “She has over a thousand followers on social media.”
  • “The book sold over a million copies worldwide.”

Examples in Practice

• More Than (Formal or Quantitative Context):
  • “The event attracted more than 500 attendees.”
  • “He earned more than $3,000 from the project.”
• Over (Informal or Spatial Context):
  • “He has over 10 years of experience.”
  • “They walked over 5 miles to reach the park.”

Quick Practice

Fill in the blanks with “more than” or “over”:

1. There are __________ 80 students in the lecture hall.
2. She has collected __________ 30 rare coins.
3. The car costs __________ $20,000.
4. He jumped __________ the fence to catch the ball.

Answers:

1. more than
2. over
3. more than
4. over