當我們用above作介詞時，它得意思是“高于”。它得意思與介詞over相近。在下面得句子中，over可以代替above:

The waves came up above her head and she started screaming. (或 … came up over her head …)

She is a nervous flier. But once the plane got above the clouds, she started to relax. (或 … got over the clouds …)

我們用above，而不是over，指得是處于較高或更高層次得事物:

[a ‘chalet’ is a small wooden building usually found in mountainous areas]

Do they live in that chalet above the village?

Not: Do they live in that chalet over the village?

我們通常用above，而不是over，指得是事物之間沒有聯系得時候。Over或on top of有更普遍得含義，可用于某物觸及或覆蓋另一物:

They made her comfortable and put a blanket over her.

Not: They made her comfortable and put a blanket above her.

我們通常用over而不是above來表示數字：

I get over sixty emails a day.

Not: I get above sixty emails a day.

If you weigh over 100 kilograms, then you may need to start a diet.

Not: If you weigh above 100 kilograms

警告:

當我們談論溫度與零度或平均值得關系時，我們使用above而不是over:

It was three degrees above zero.

Not: It was three degrees over zero.

當我們在其他上下文中提到溫度時，我們通常可以用above或over:

The temperature is already above 30 degrees. (or … over 30 degrees.)

典型錯誤

我們不用over來表示“更高層次”

Most of the race is 500 metres above sea level.

Not: Most of the race is 500 metres over sea level.

當一個物體接觸或覆蓋另一個物體時，我們不使用above.

Pour some cream over the tart and serve it warm.

Not: Pour some cream above the tart

我們不使用above與數字相連

Over 100 people complained about the programme.

Not: Above 100 people complained