Key difference: Above is defined as the preposition indicating height, by on top of or higher than. Up is defined as a proposition indicating movement from lower position to higher position.

Up is a preposition, used for indicating a higher level of position in or on. It is often described as an adverb indicating readiness for an activity, intensity, completion of an action, a place referred to, above the horizon, higher in price, etc. ‘Up’ is used in the sense of vertical direction, towards a source and requires no object. It is used to make something or some one higher than its original position. Taking a few examples:

• I want to hike up the mountain.
• Coffee prices went up again.
• He went up on the dice.

In the first sentence, ‘up’ is used in reference of going the top of the mountain same as that in third example. In second example, it refers to the ‘high price’.

Above is a preposition used to describe fixed location on one side or another to a point of some sort. It is described in a higher quantity or degree, superior to or prior to, respected for, louder and higher than, in preference to, etc. it states that one thing is higher than the other, with a difference between them. It requires an object and reflects the relationship between the two objects. Taking a few examples:

• I live above the 1^st floor.
• The fly was flying above her head. Or the fly was hovering over her head.
• I love you above all others.

First example uses ‘above’ in term of distance. In the second example, above and over can be used interchangeably depending on the reference of the object. Third example uses ‘above’ in terms of preference.

Comparison between Above and Up:

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