Hi
(Except for their interchangeable use) can I view that over contains more ‘dynamic’ (i.e., moving in time or space + a relative position),
whereas above is more ‘static’ (i.e., describes just a position)?
Can I consider verbs overlook and rise above as synonyms when both are used in indirect sense?
Hi Tamara,
For me, not a native speaker,
Above, not over: One thing is not directly over the other.
Compare:
a. The house sat in the moutains above the city.
b. The cloud is over the plane. (directly overhead).
Over, not above: Sth covers sth els and in contact with it, horizontal movement.
Ex: Throw the ball over the fence.
The blankit is over the kid.
K
Hi Tamara,
You ask for a difference in meaning between over and above. Over suggests that there is some connection at the sides assuming an arch shape/form(but not always) as in the bridge over the river. Above suggests higher than something as in the moon above the skyline. These are very simple explanations and more than likely there are a dozen exceptions. You could in fact be standing on the bridge over the river from where you could see the moon above the city lights in the distance.
Your second point:
has me a little confused because both verbs can have figurative meanings.
I’ve done a piece on prepositions, which you may find useful?
ESL Lesson: Prepositions
[size=75]http://www.english-test.net/lessons/4/index.html[/size]
I’ll end with another point over and above together have the sense of more than or beyond as in:
The duties she carried out were over and above what was expected of her.Alan
Hi Alan,
Thank you for the link. Now I’ll go to re-read. 
Why I asked (1) was my feeling that
(a flight) over the sea - refers to moving
whereas
above the sea (in any context) – just describes a relative (vertical) position
And generally, I’d say that quite often I see and hear that ‘over’ is used concerning to some (underlying or explicit) process, action or time period. ‘Dynamics’ of some kind.
winter settled over the mountains
over the last three years
to run hands over the table
to invite some friends over
she fell asleep over her work
in contrast to usual use of ‘above’ (vertical dimention, in direct or indirect sense).
About (2): which one would be better, for example, in
He should … their insinuations. ?
overlook? rise about?
or simply ignore?
Tamara
P.S.
Thanks for ‘over and above’ in your example. Now I’ve got it easily, as there is a Russian fixed expression with exactly the same meaning.
Hi Tamara,
He should overlook … means he should let them go without commenting on them.
He should rise above… means he should show that he is not affected by them
He should ignore them … means he should disregard or take no notice of them
Alan
Hi Alan,
Your (2) is exactly what I need(ed). (Sorry for my slip… above, of course…)
Thank you!!!
P.S. But for me ‘let them go without commenting on them’ = ‘or take no notice of them’.
Hi Tamara,
what I’d like to add is that over is more extended in meaning (more comprehensive), above refers to a certain position, like when you say UFOs flew over China it means over the whole of it, to its borders or even beyond it(leaving it, passing it by). You can’t really say this sentence with above. If you’d try it would mean that the UFOs stood still in a certain height above China but this doesn’t go with the verb ‘fly’. I think you’re right, you use dynamic verbs with over, like fly, move…etc. And static with above. That’s why you say: the house is above the city and the cloud is over the plane, because the house is standing still on the mountain and the city below it as well, but the plane is moving. Or another example: The lamp is above me. not over me. Over has a meaning like blanketing or to encircle something. The lamp can’t be over (all over) you. /whether it is directly or not directly over you/.
Kate