What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
overs
Example
I always end up with overs after Thanksgiving dinner. [overs: noun]
Example
She had to throw away the overs from the party. [overs: plural noun]
excess
Example
The company had to cut back on expenses due to excess spending. [excess: noun]
Example
He was criticized for his excess drinking at the party. [excess: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Excess is more commonly used than overs in everyday language. Excess is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while overs is less common and refers to a surplus of physical objects or substances.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between overs and excess?
While overs is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, excess is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
