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Over vs. More than

Discussion in 'Journalism topics only' started by jakewriter82, Jan 7, 2008.

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  1. jakewriter82

    jakewriter82 Active Member

    Editor here says never use over when addressing a number..."Over 500 people showed up to the parade"
    or for a length of time..."He went to the game over the weekend."

    This guy over at theslot.com, though, says "over" works just fine in both cases...

    http://www.theslot.com/over.html

    Who's right?
    What's your preference?
     
    jakewriter82, Jan 7, 2008
    #1
  2. Steak Snabler

    Steak Snabler Well-Known Member

    "Over" is a location. --- The plane flew over the city.

    "More than" is a quantity. --- I have more than 25 dollars in the bank.

    Used to drive me crazy when people used "over" in both cases. But it's one of those style rules that's gotten slowly washed away through the years.
     
    Steak Snabler, Jan 7, 2008
    #2
  3. sportschick

    sportschick Active Member

    More than 500 people is correct. Over 500 people is not.

    I've not worked some place where over the weekend wasn't acceptable, so I'll leave that one to others wiser than I.
     
    sportschick, Jan 7, 2008
    #3
  4. spnited

    spnited Active Member

    More than 500, never over.

    I don't like "over the weekend" when you can just say he did something "this past weekend."
     
    spnited, Jan 7, 2008
    #4
  5. mike311gd

    mike311gd Active Member

    Same here.

    It infuriates me when I hear someone on a commercial saying, "Over 200 people were surveyed. ..." It's always "more than" for a number.
     
    mike311gd, Jan 7, 2008
    #5
  6. MileHigh

    MileHigh Moderator Staff Member

    AP stylebook, under "over":

    over It generally refers to spatial relationships: The plane flew over the city.
    More than is preferred with numerals: Their salaries went up more than $20 a week.
     
    MileHigh, Jan 7, 2008
    #6
  7. Pete Incaviglia

    Pete Incaviglia Active Member

    Always, ALWAYS more than. Like Steak said, it's a quantity.

    This is my biggest pet peeve by the way.
     
    Pete Incaviglia, Jan 7, 2008
    #7
  8. jakewriter82

    jakewriter82 Active Member

    So is this concern from theslot valid?

     
    jakewriter82, Jan 7, 2008
    #8
  9. John

    John Well-Known Member

    Thank you. I loathe "this past weekend."
     
    John, Jan 7, 2008
    #9
  10. spnited

    spnited Active Member

    I don't like "this past" either but it is the preferred style at my paper (anal copy desk chief, not me)
     
    spnited, Jan 7, 2008
    #10
  11. Steak Snabler

    Steak Snabler Well-Known Member

    Speaking of pet peeves, while we're here, can we settle "Pull-it-zer" vs. "Pyool-it-zer?"

    Please?

    For me?
     
    Steak Snabler, Jan 7, 2008
    #11
  12. Tom Petty

    Tom Petty Guest

    isn't that discussion over?
     
    Tom Petty, Jan 7, 2008
    #12
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