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14 Confusing Grammar Bits
Let’s Clarify Some Things
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I write for work and fun, so sometimes language annoys me. I’ll run into some funny grammar question like, “should I use over or more than?” Then I Google which is correct and down the rabbit hole I go. I put together this list of useful grammar rules partially for myself and partially for you, my sweet, dear, beloved readers. ❤️
1. Over vs. More Than
“More than” means “in excess of,” while “over” means “more than in degree, quantity, or extent. Although it’s no longer official, over is widely considered incorrect when used in front of a number; the correct term is more than. So one would write, “The school has more than 5,000 students enrolled for the fall semester.”
Meanwhile, you should use over in relation to degree, quantity, or extent, as exemplified below:
-Over 5 degrees Fahrenheit
-Over a century ago
-Over a mile
If this seems vague, rest in peace. In 2014, the AP Stylebook changed its stance on using “over” to mean “more than,” so they are technically interchangeable, although grammar sticklers might disagree.
