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Is it grammatically correct to say sentences like these:

  • The bridge is over the road.( Meaning: The bridge is above/on a higher level than the road)

  • The painting is over the sofa. (Meaning: The painting is above/on a higher level than the sofa)

  • The helicopter is over the helipad. (Meaning the helicopter id above/on a higher level than the helipad)

  • The blanket is over Lisa. (Meaning: The blanket is on Lisa covering her body)

I know that we could use “over” this way and it would be grammatically correct:

  • The bridge over the road is very shiny.

  • The painting over the sofa is a beautiful one.

  • The helicopter over the helipad is an army helicopter.

  • The blanket over Lisa looks cozy.

Context: I think it would be wrong to use “over” in the “x is over y” structure like in the first four examples, but since I was not completely sure I had to ask you for your opinion. There is a song called “I’ll Be Over You” by Toto. The structure in the name of the song kind of bugs my ears. So I had to ask this question.

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Nothing grammatically wrong, but we would be more likely to use a verb other than is.

The bridge passes over the road.

The painting is hanging over the sofa.

The helicopter is hovering over the helipad.

I've put the blanket over Lisa.

The song appears to use be over someone in the sense 'have ceased to be in love with them' (like 'getting over' an illness).

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  • Thanks a lot for your answer. So is it okay if I say the first four sentences I gave, or can we hear native English speakers say them? If we can, is it in a specific context or can they generally be said?
    – Fire and Ice
    Commented Sep 20, 2022 at 11:06
  • As I told you, native speakers would usually use a different verb when making a statement, as in my examples. We might use is in some contexts. "I can see the bridge over the canal. - No, the bridge is over the road, not the canal." "The helicopter is over the helipad right now, so it should land in a minute or two."
    – Kate Bunting
    Commented Sep 20, 2022 at 11:50

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