A preposition is used to link nouns, pronouns and phrases to other words in a sentence. The word or phrase that the preposition introduces is called the object of the preposition. A preposition is used to indicate the temporal, spatial or logical relationship of its object to the rest of the sentence. Here are some examples of the prepositions “on” and “over”:
Preposition ON
Used to express a surface of something:
- The pencil is on the desk.
- I put the silverware on the kitchen table
- My homework is on the teacher's desk.
Used to specify days and dates:
- The garbage truck comes by my house on Thursdays.
- I was born on the 3rd day of August in 1959.
- We're having a big celebration on the fourth of July.
Used to indicate a device or machine, such as a phone or computer:
- Robert is on the phone right now.
- Steve has been on the computer since early this morning.
- My favorite TV show will be on tonight.
Used to indicate a part of the body or thing:
- The rock struck my car on the windshield.
- She kissed her friend on his cheek.
- I wear a baseball hat on my head
Used to indicate the state of something:
- The building across the street is on fire.
- That beautiful blue vase is on sale.
- All the lights in the building have been turned on.
Preposition OVER
Used to indicate movement from one place to another:
- Can you come over to my house tonight for dinner?
- We need to roll the log over.
- They pushed the boulder over the edge of the cliff.
Used to indicate movement downward:
- The maple tree fell over onto the road during the storm.
- I had to bend over to pick up the pencil that fell off my desk.
- I fell over and broke my arm.
Used to indicate more than an expected number or amount:
- Children over the age of 12 pay full price.
- The price is over what I am willing to pay.
- The phone rang for over a minute before I could answer it.
Used to indicate a period of time:
- I worked for the company for over five years.
- I had to wait for over an hour.
- He has not been home in over a year.