The word OVER can be used as in a number of ways as a preposition, adjective or adverb. Let’s take a look at some of its more basic uses:
over for a ‘higher position’
Above or higher than something else, sometimes when one thing covers the other:
‘The plane flew over the city’
over as ‘across’
As a preposition ‘over’ is used when crossing from one side to the other, usually when going up and then down:
‘She drove her car over the hill.’
over as ‘more than’
‘Over’ is used as a preposition to mean ‘more than’:
‘The repairs to my car will cost over $1000.’
over as ‘down’
When used in a phrasal verb ‘over‘ means ‘down’:
‘The old man fell over and broke his hand.’
over as ‘using’
When used as a preposition ‘over’ can mean ‘using’:
‘I don’t like talking about personal things over the phone.’
over as ‘other side’
When using ‘over’ as a preposition of place it can be used to mean ‘other side’:
‘The hotel I’m staying at is over the road from here.’
over as ‘during’
During something, or while doing something:
‘I’ll read the report over the weekend.’
over as ‘control’
In control of or instructing someone or something:
‘The government keeps control over what is reported in the newspapers.’
over as ‘connected with’
‘Over’ is used when referring to a cause of interest or discussion:
‘There was a lot of discussion over who should get the job.’
over as ‘extra’
As an adverb ‘over is used to show something is extra or not used:
‘Do you have any money left over from your trip to New York.’
over as ‘finished’
As an adjective ‘over’ can be used to mean ‘finished’:
‘What time will the game be over?’
over as ‘again’
As a adverb over can mean ‘again’ or ‘repeatedly’:
‘I burnt the dinner, I’ll have to do it over.’
over as ‘feeling better’
We use it as a preposition to show that we are physically or mentally better after an illness or bad experience:
‘I was sick all last night, but think I’m getting over it.’