I brood over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I brood over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing deep or prolonged thought about something, often with a sense of worry or contemplation. Example: "After receiving the news, I couldn't help but brood over the implications it might have on my future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I brood over slights.

The New York Times - Magazine

As Victoria Patterson writes in "Why Bother?," "I brood over my work rather than the fate of the book industry".

The New Yorker

In life, I never once ventured inside this shop, and I brood over what the interior would look like, what person would wait behind the counter.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

I need not brood over their attitude and let it affect my life and my relationship with my children.

BMC Public Health

I brooded over it all morning.

The New Yorker

I brooded over the Guía Roji.

The Guardian

What's he doing there?' I brooded over it for three or four weeks, and finally I said to myself, 'Of course!

The New Yorker

I brooded over these questions until I remembered that the answers were out there – Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason was on the shelves of a bookstore somewhere, waiting to give them to me.

BBC

It is brooded over by a central volcano that, at 7,713 feet, is the highest peak in all Portugal.

The New York Times - Travel

It's a world of cynical lawyers cutting deals, careworn cops and cons brooding over sinister secrets.

The Guardian - Film

For all the effort I spent brooding over that line, when I came back to my starting place after finishing the first draft, I saw that line for the first time, and came to understand it truly didn't belong to Infinite Absence at all.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I brood over" when you want to convey a sense of deep, often troubled, thought about something. Ensure the context aligns with the somewhat negative connotation of the phrase.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "I brood over" can sound overly dramatic or formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "I'm thinking about" or "I'm worried about" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I brood over" functions as a statement expressing a state of deep and often anxious contemplation. It indicates that the speaker is not just thinking about something, but is doing so with a sense of worry or unease. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I brood over" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express deep, often anxious, contemplation. While considered rare in frequency, according to Ludwig AI, it's appropriate for neutral to slightly formal contexts, often appearing in news and media. When using this phrase, be mindful of its negative connotation and consider simpler alternatives like "I contemplate" or "I dwell on" for less intense situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I mull over

Implies a slow and deliberate process of thinking something through.

I dwell on

This phrase emphasizes a prolonged focus on something, similar to "brood over" but slightly less intense.

I ponder

This alternative is a more formal and thoughtful way of saying "I think about".

I reflect on

Suggests a more detached and analytical consideration of something.

I contemplate

This alternative offers a more neutral and less emotionally charged sense of thinking deeply.

I ruminate about

This alternative suggests a cyclical and repetitive pattern of thought.

I agonize over

This phrase highlights the painful or distressing aspect of thinking about something.

I obsess about

This option suggests an unhealthy or compulsive focus on a particular issue.

I am preoccupied with

This alternative indicates a state of being mentally absorbed in something.

I am engrossed in

Suggests a total mental occupation, often with a positive connotation.

FAQs

How can I use "I brood over" in a sentence?

You can use "I brood over" to express deep and prolonged thought about something, often with worry or concern. For instance, "I brood over the consequences of my decision" conveys a sense of anxious contemplation.

What are some alternatives to "I brood over"?

You can use alternatives like "I contemplate", "I dwell on", or "I ponder" to express similar ideas with slightly different nuances.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I brood over"?

Yes, "I brood over" is grammatically correct and follows standard English sentence structure. It's a valid and understandable phrase.

What is the connotation of "I brood over"?

The phrase "I brood over" often carries a negative connotation, suggesting worry, anxiety, or troubled contemplation. It implies a deeper level of concern than simply "thinking about" something.