Written by Miranda González
If you’re an English learner, I think you’ll agree that prepositions are one of the trickiest parts of the language. But with a little explanation and a lot of practice, you’ll see that they are really not so scary after all.
Today we’ll discuss the different uses of the prepositions “over” and “under”.
Prepositions of location
Over = at a location higher than something else
Example: The picture frame is hanging over the fireplace.
Under = at lower place than something else
Example: We sat under a tree to eat our lunch.
Prepositions of movement
Over = upwards and across
Example: The dog jumped over the fence.
Under = forwards and below
Example: The baby crawled under the table.
More than (over) / less than (under)
People over the age of 65 are called senior citizens.
Children under 17 must be accompanied by an adult.
Having authority (over) / responding to authority (under)
Jan supervises this department. She is over 20 employees.
We are under orders from the chief of police to have you arrested.
Receiving the effects of something = under
Victor was caught driving under the influence of alcohol.
By means of = over
I can’t tell you over the phone.
Beneath a false exterior = under
The thief got a passport under a fake name.
Again = over
This report has a lot of errors. You need to do it over.
Because of = under
I can’t work under these circumstances!
While engaged in another activity = over
Let’s talk about it over dinner.
Quiz time! Fill in the blank with the correct preposition.
1. If your study group has _____ 10 people, you need to reserve the library conference room.
2. Why don’t we discuss the project _____ coffee?
3. Mike is the president of a large corporation. He’s _____ 200 people!
4. Mary Anne Evans wrote her novels _____ the name of George Eliot.
5. Before you have major surgery, you will need to go _____ anesthesia.
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