over the area vs around the area

Both 'over the area' and 'around the area' are correct phrases, but they are used in different contexts. 'Over the area' implies a position directly above the area, while 'around the area' suggests a surrounding or nearby location. The choice between the two depends on whether you want to convey a sense of being directly above or in the vicinity of the area.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 980 views

over the area

This phrase is correct and commonly used to indicate a position directly above a specific area.

Use 'over the area' when you want to describe something positioned directly above a specific area.

Examples:

The helicopter flew over the area to get a better view.
The clouds hung low over the area, casting a shadow.
The satellite orbits over the area, capturing images.
The drone hovered over the area, monitoring the situation.
The banner was displayed over the area for everyone to see.

Show examples from the web [+]

They flew right over the area where Jason Brant anchored his shark cases.
When it gets over the area, we'll have less than a minute to capture the images we can.
But there's been, like, a string of these robberies all over the area.
I want unis plastering Gellar's picture all over the area.
EVICEL forms a clear film over the area of application.
Many Palestinians complain that armed gangs have taken over the area.
I want unis plastering Gellar's picture all over the area.
We have clone squadrons spread out all over the area, but no hits yet.
He found Sharon Grafia at the crash site the night we left, after seeing lights over the area.
Galata is located on the Via Pontica migration flyway and considerable numbers of soaring migrants, mainly storks, fly over the area's coastal part.
We went over the area, and we didn't find anything.
The systems shall be able to spray water at a rate of at least 5 l/m2 per minute over the area of the largest room to be protected.
I'd even entertain the notion of a black hole passing over the area or some cosmic anomaly, but it's not really black-hole season either.
If necessary, apply a clean, dry cotton swab over the area and press gently for 1 or 2 minutes, or until the bleeding has stopped.
b) steep slopes over the area in question
the sergeant of arms has his men all over the area.
Claims to sovereignty over the area by the five border countries - Canada, Denmark, Russia, the United States and Norway - leads to obvious tensions.
The strategy presented and approved in Lisbon entails a gradual transfer of control over the area, region by region, from ISAF responsibility to Afghan armed forces.
However the critical question remains that of the means of control of the people and their representatives over the area of developing biotechnology.
In Arga, a village in the province of Orense, the marchioness of Mariño, a Spanish aristocrat and a despotic, cruel landowner, rules over the area.

Alternatives:

above the area
across the area
covering the area
spanning the area
encompassing the area

around the area

This phrase is correct and commonly used to indicate a surrounding or nearby location relative to a specific area.

Use 'around the area' when you want to describe something located in the vicinity or surrounding area of a specific location.