-
(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
Hi, everyone!
I hope you like prepositions1 because I am going to talk about them again today.
The question today comes from our reader Francesca in Rome, Italy. Here it is:
Question:
Hello, thank you VOA. I have a problem using over and above. You will certainly help me. - Francesca, Rome
Answer:
Ciao, Francesca. I am happy to help!
The words over and above can act as prepositions or adverbs, depending on how they are used.
For today’s program, I will focus on prepositions. Prepositions are words that show direction, position or time.
Over and above both express that something is in a higher position than something else. And, sometimes, you can use either word.
The building is over a parking lot (or)
The building is above a parking lot.
They have the same meaning.
But there are times when one word is more suitable than the other.
For example, the word over suggests movement. Above does not.
When the upper object moves across the lower object, use over, as in these examples:
A plane just flew over city hall.
We walked over the bridge.
Covering, contact
In addition, over suggests contact between two objects. Above does not.
Use over when the higher object covers or is touching4 the lower object, as in these:
Did you wear a raincoat over your clothes?
Please put foil5 over the remaining food.
Above is more common when there is no contact between the two objects, as in this:
Many bird species6 fly above the clouds.
Numbers and measures
We also use over and above with measurements7.
Use over for such measures as height, age, speed and time, as in these:
We have been waiting over an hour for a table.
The game is for children over 10 years of age.
Above is generally used in measures of temperature, as in this:
It went above 90 degrees again yesterday.
And that’s Ask a Teacher.
I’m Alice Bryant.
Words in This Story
certainly – adv. without doubt
adverb – n. a word that is often used to show time, manner, place, or degree
focus – v. to direct your attention or effort at something specific
verb – n. a word that expresses an action, occurrence8 or state of being
blanket – n. a covering made of cloth that is used to keep you warm?
fox – n. a small wild animal that is related to dogs
1 prepositions | |
n.介词( preposition的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
2 instance | |
n.例,例证,实例 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
3 motion | |
n.打手势,示意,移动,动作,提议,大便;v.运动,向...打手势,示意 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
4 touching | |
adj.动人的,使人感伤的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
5 foil | |
n.箔,金属薄片,陪衬;vt.挫败,使受挫折 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
6 species | |
n.物种,种群 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
7 measurements | |
n.量度( measurement的名词复数 );测量;衡量;(量得的)尺寸 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
8 occurrence | |
n.发生,出现,事件,发生的事件 | |
参考例句: |
|
|