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There were over five people in the class.

There were more than five people in the class.

I know for sure that the second sentence is correct. But I am in doubt as for the first one.

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At one time your first example ("over five people") would have been considered a mistake. There used to be a distinction - "over" being used for non-count or mass things - over five tons of coal, over ten gallons of water, and "more than" for countable things - more than ten people, more than 20 cars. Many style guides now say that they are interchangeable.

More than vs. over

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