Thursday Tidbits - Over and Beyond...

Over and beyond  

Two prepositions that are often confused are over and beyond. They are similar in meaning, however  they are not interchangeable and can sound a bit strange if one is used instead of the other. Lets’ look at how they are used.

Over

An easy way to remember when to use over is to replace it with more than. If the sentence still sounds correct, over is the correct preposition to use. Here are some examples:

You are not allowed to drive over (more than) the speed limit.

Those that are over (more than) 25 years old are not allowed to participate.

The company doesn’t permit employees to work over (more than) 40 hours a week.

Beyond

Beyond seems similar to over, however it is used when you mean to say after or past (in this case, we are not referring topast like present or future, but rather after or beyond). Here are some examples:

Most people don’t work beyond (after/past) 65 years of age.

The park doesn’t allow people to go beyond (after/past) the indicated border.

He continued to run beyond (after/past) what he was capable of.

Check yourself

Circle the appropriate word to complete the sentence. Then read the sentence again with the optional prepositions to see if it sounds right.

1. I’m pretty sure that I will have to work (beyond / over) midnight because I have so much work.

2. He received (over / beyond) 50 “get well” cards while he was in the hospital.

3. You have to go (over / beyond) expectations if you want to get a promotion.

4. Cheetahs can run (beyond / over) 50 mph.

5. His blood/alcohol level was (over /beyond) the legal limit.

6. He was surprised that (beyond / over) 100 people came to his party.

7. He couldn’t see (beyond / over) the mountain.

8. The human body has (beyond / over) 200 bones.

9. Many people wonder what will happen (beyond / over) this life when we die.

10. The ship sank because it was (over / beyond) its capacity for passengers.

Answers to last week’s Check Yourself

Underline the correct word or phrase to complete the sentence.

1. My family (has / is) as many children as your family.

2. A lion isn’t as (fast / faster) as a cheetah.

3. Palí doesn’t have as (many / much) selection as Walmart.

4. This test isn’t as (more difficult / difficult) as the last test.

5. We (don’t have / haven’t) as much time as we used to.

6. His stereo (is / has) as loud as our stereo.

7. Quepos doesn’t have as (many / much) people as San José.

8. Do you think a human (is / has) as intelligent as a computer?

9. She doesn’t have as (much / many) work as I do.

10. My manager (hasn’t / doesn’t have) as much responsibility as the other managers.