"Pore over" = to study intensely; "pour" = to flow or transfer a liquid.
As a verb (always with "over"): to study, examine, or read something with great concentration. As a noun: a tiny opening in skin or a surface.
She pored over the contract for hours before finally signing it.
The detectives pored over every piece of evidence in the case.
He spent the weekend poring over old maps and historical documents.
To flow or transfer a liquid from one container to another. Also: to flow in large quantities.
She poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down at her desk.
The rain poured down all afternoon, flooding the streets.
He poured all his savings into the new business.
Common mistake
"Pour over" vs "pore over" is one of the most frequent writing errors in English. People write "she poured over the documents" when they mean she studied them carefully. "Pour over" literally means to pour liquid over the documents — plausible in cooking, but rarely what is intended.
Trick to remember it
"Pore over" = read like you read "pore": slowly, with attention. "Pour" = to flow liquid, like the sound of liquid falling. Also: "pore over" always needs "over" as a partner — no "over" = you are probably talking about the noun (skin pores) or the verb pour.
Quick rule
"Pore over" = to study intensely (always with "over"). "Pour" = to transfer or flow liquid.
Did you know?
"Pour over" is also the name of a popular coffee brewing method where you pour hot water over ground coffee. So "pour over coffee" (the brewing method) is correct — but "poring over" the coffee menu means studying it intensely.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
The lawyer _____ over the contract for hours, looking for any problematic clauses.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
He carefully _____ the hot sauce onto his taco, then immediately regretted it.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
"Pore over" = to study intensely (always with "over"). "Pour" = to transfer or flow liquid.
"Pour over" vs "pore over" is one of the most frequent writing errors in English. People write "she poured over the documents" when they mean she studied them carefully. "Pour over" literally means to pour liquid over the documents — plausible in cooking, but rarely what is intended.
"Pore over" = read like you read "pore": slowly, with attention. "Pour" = to flow liquid, like the sound of liquid falling. Also: "pore over" always needs "over" as a partner — no "over" = you are probably talking about the noun (skin pores) or the verb pour.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy