They spent £160,000 or above on toys, CDs, and perfume. They spent £160,000 or over on toys, CDs, and perfume. Which one of these sentences is correct?
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Why do you think one is incorrect?– Edwin AshworthJul 9, 2020 at 11:18
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I have seen sentences with both, but according to Cambridge grammar "We normally use over not above with numbers". This confuses me. Here is the link: dictionary.cambridge.org/us/grammar/british-grammar/…– Joe SimpsonJul 9, 2020 at 11:24
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1Over £160,000 would be more idiomatic.– Kate BuntingJul 9, 2020 at 11:40
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1Both are idiomatic in the US, though "over" is probably more common. "Above" would tend to be used when the intent was to emphasize "levels", metaphorically like rising water.– Hot LicksJul 9, 2020 at 12:06
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1I will note that, in the US, stock market "levels" are expressed in dollars (generally using an average of multiple stock prices). And the terms "above" and "below" are often use.– Hot LicksJul 9, 2020 at 13:05
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1 Answer
Licensing references for the usages are quite hard to find.
Lexico gives under above:
• (adverb) 1 [the part of speech is disputed by others]
- 1.1 Higher in grade or rank.
an officer of the rank of superintendent or above
(this sense, for grades / ranks, is not available with 'over')
- 1.2 Higher than a specified amount, rate, or norm.
boats of 31 ft. or above
And, under over, Collins gives:
(adverb) ...
- more; in excess; beyond
three hours or over
So with numbers, or especially, as here, with measures (numbers + units), either is acceptable. Cambridge Dictionary ... Grammar is saying that with pure numbers and numbers with standard units or non-physical 'units' like people, cars, outside the 'or over/above usage, , 'over' is the more usual choice . 'There were over 50 000 deaths from the virus.' But the examples it scores through (I get above sixty emails a day. / If you weigh above 100 kilograms, then you may need to start a diet.) are just less usual (and more formal in register), by no means unacceptable.
And as @Isabel points out, more (and where necessary more than) may be the most idiomatic choice. 'They spent £160,000 or more on toys, CDs, and perfume.'
answered Jul 9, 2020 at 11:36
