Today we will talk about two pairs of prepositions that sometimes create difficulty and confusion.
The first pair is over and above.
At first glance, these two prepositions seem very similar. Let’s talk about the distinctions between them.
The word over is used to suggest movement.
I climbed over the stone wall.
I fell over the tree root.
The car rolled over a sewer grate.
Janet leaned over the railing.
A plane flew over the house.
The word over is also used to talk about something overhead that is relatively close.
I have a roof over my head.
I held the umbrella over my mom.
A big tree hangs over my patio.
The word above is used when something is on an upper or higher level and not moving.
I love to see the stars in the sky above me.
The chimney is high above the roof.
I sleep in the room above the garage.
My town’s elevation is 60 feet above sea level.
Another confusing pair of prepositions is among and between.
Use among when an object is in the midst of a group.
I found a weed growing among my flowers.
I sat among a group of my friends at the concert.
Use between when the object is the middle object in a group of three.
A weed was growing between two rose bushes.
At the concert, I sat between Jack and Jim.
Also use between when choosing one of two objects.
I can’t decide between a hotdog and a hamburger.
Follow these tips when using the prepositions over, above, among, and between. With practice, you will be comfortable using them correctly.