Yes, “over” is a preposition in most cases. It shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and another part of the sentence, often indicating position, movement, or extent.
Uses of “Over” as a Preposition:
- Indicating Position (Above Something)
- The clock is over the door.
- She held the tray over the table.
- Expressing Movement Across or Above Something
- The chef flipped the pancake over the pan.
- He jumped over the counter.
- Expressing More Than a Certain Number or Amount
- Sales increased over 20% last quarter.
- The restaurant has been open for over ten years.
- Indicating Authority or Control
- She has control over the kitchen staff.
- The manager has authority over hiring decisions.
- Referring to a Period of Time
- We discussed the new menu over lunch.
- He worked in the industry over the past decade.
- Expressing a Topic or Concern
- They argued over the pricing strategy.
- We had a meeting over the new POS features.
Other Uses of “Over”:
- Adverb (Modifies a verb, meaning “completely” or “to another side”)
- Come over here.
- She read the contract over carefully.
- Adjective (Used in informal phrases, meaning “finished” or “done”)
- The lunch rush is over.
- Is the event over yet?
Why “Over” Is a Preposition in Most Cases
- When “over” is followed by a noun or pronoun, it functions as a preposition (e.g., over the table, over time).
- If “over” modifies a verb, it functions as an adverb (e.g., She walked over).
- If “over” describes a state, it acts as an adjective (e.g., The event is over).
Thus, “over” is most commonly a preposition.