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Meantolearn Posted 21 years ago
Vocabulary

Over

Hi,
You won't find a better offer than that. But take your time to consider it over a cup of coffee.


1. Is 'over' a particle or a preposition in the quotes above?

2. What does 'over' mean in the quotes above?

3. Can I say 'consider something over a cup of tea, a glass of wine/beer/orange..etc.'? Is this pattern common: [consider sth. over sth.]

4. Can 'consider something over' mean 'think something over'? And 'over' pretty much means 'again.' Note: in this usage, 'over' has no object.

Thanks,
  

Top answer

I see the problem. You think that maybe "consider over" is a phrasal verb like "think over". Short answer - no.

  • I see the problem.
  • You think that maybe "consider over" is a phrasal verb like "think over".
  • Short answer - no.
  • "over' is a preposition in your example.
  • As you suggest, we can consider things over tea, coffee, over a meal, and so on.
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15 Answers
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I see the problem. You think that maybe "consider over" is a phrasal verb like "think over". Short answer - no. "over' is a preposition in your example. As you suggest, we can consider things over tea, coffee, over a meal, and so on. It means "while having a cup of coffee", "during the time it takes to have a cup of coffee". We probably use "over" because we are physically above the food or
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Let's see -- I think I can answer some of your questions.

"Think something over" is a common phrase, which means essentially the same as "consider something." It does not imply "think something again," but rather, spend some time thinking about something, considering all aspects of the question. (Have you decided to take that new job? I don't know yet -- I'm still thinking it over
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Thank you so much, both CJ & Khoff.

CJ's explanation about 'over' was interesting. I think that the food or the drinks will eventually go inside our body.

Here, 'over' is a preposition and it follows the pattern: [OVER + NP] NP = nominal phrase

e.g.
Will you be home over the summer vacation?
Over a period of ten years he stole a million pounds
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To me there seems to be a slight difference between the phrases that use "over" with something tangible like a meal, a cup of coffee, etc., and those that use "over" with a period of time, like summer vacation, a period of ten years, etc. In the first examples, I imagine the meal, cup of coffee, etc. sitting on the table, and the conversation, thought, discussion, etc. hovering in the air over (
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Hi khoff,

Thanks for the reply.

1. If you look up a dictionary, you would find 'over' has lots of definitions.
One of the definitions for 'over' is 'above', but I'm afraid it is hardly related to our discussions about the use of 'over'.

over - above
e.g. (from dictionary)
A lamp hung over the table.
She leaned over the desk to answer the phone.
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Okay, I have discussed this extensively with two other intelligent native speakers of American English (who happen to be my husband and daughter, the only ones willing to listen to this sort of thing at 11.00 p.m.) They are in agreement with me on the following points:

The use of "over" to mean "above" is definitely related to this discussion. Remember CalifJim's comment "we probably
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All language is metaphor. The several meanings of "over" form happy coincidences in many of these expressions. Emotion: smile
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Thank you so much, khoff. I love to see decent discussions.

I'd hope my questions didn't become your nightmare.

I've been thinking about this topic DURING this weekend. I can see your veiwpoint. Your reply has always been a great help.

Let me start OVER. See if I can dig into it more.

How do the following examples sound to you? Please put down your comments
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Hi MTL


here you need 'on', across, or round.

*** "I'd consider the offer ON the table"

i.e. an offer has been presented, and I'll consider it. (It doesn't literally have to be ON a table)

Let's discuss this over a table.

***'s discuss this ROUND the table. I think this expression comes from stories of King Arthur's round table, where everyon
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Hi Abbie,

Thanks for joining in the discussions.

Please read the thread from the beginning. And put more comments if you like.

"You won't find a better offer than that. But take your time to consider it over a cup of coffee."

re. quotes above, does the preposition 'over' mean 'above' or 'during' or a little bit of both?

Thanks,

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