"sur" vs. "en dessus de"

Question

I translated "on top of" (the work surface) as "en dessus du" (plan de travail) rather than "sur le plan de travail".  When would you use "en dessus de" (or au-dessus de) instead of "sur"?

Cécile Janty-Davies · Accepted Answer

Hi Helena, 
I think you are mixing the expressions

au dessus de = above 
en dessous de = below

with 
sur = on top of 
So 'au dessus du plan de travail' would be above it rather on top of it.
Hope this helps!

Jim Jones · Answer

Hi Helena,"en dessus de" gives a sense of "above" or "supériorité" not necessarily in contact.Antonyme:   dessous _ under"sur" is more of a "position" sense where the item may be in contact with an elevated surface (actually on) something.This is my understanding.Hope it helps.Jim

Chris Wirt · Answer

au dessus de -- abovesur -- on/on top of.