Par- dessus versus Au dessus

Adelaida L.C1Kwiziq community member

Par- dessus versus Au dessus

Does par-dessus imply movement over, or could au-dessus be used as well? C'est-à dire, est-ce qu'on pourrait dire "Le ballon a volé au dessus de la barrière"?  

J'aime beaucoup les discussions ici, merci.  

Asked 2 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Adelaida, 

You would normally use 'par-dessus' when there is a wall of something to get over.

In this example, the adverb au dessus doesn't give the idea of height in the same way as 'par-dessus' does.

 I like this explanation -

https://www.linternaute.fr/dictionnaire/fr/definition/par-dessus/

Hope this helps!

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Adelaida.

Par-dessus seems to me to be the most appropriate to express "over" in the sense of traversing an obstacle with au-dessus simply expressing "above".

Hope this helps?

Jim

Par- dessus versus Au dessus

Does par-dessus imply movement over, or could au-dessus be used as well? C'est-à dire, est-ce qu'on pourrait dire "Le ballon a volé au dessus de la barrière"?  

J'aime beaucoup les discussions ici, merci.  

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