brooding over

USAGE SUMMARY

"brooding over" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to think deeply and anxiously about something. Example: She sat on her bed, brooding over her failed test and wondering how she could improve her grade. It can also be used in a more literal sense to mean to sit or hover over something in a protective or caring manner. Example: The mother bird was brooding over her eggs, keeping them warm and safe until they hatched.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Film

Americans are beginning to obsess about decline, but the British long ago turned brooding over fallen empire into an art form.

The New York Times - Arts

The family sit brooding over his misfortune.

The New Yorker

forever brooding over advantages they do not possess..

University of California, Berkeley

He recalled later: "I got to brooding over this nighthawk.

The New York Times - Books

Part of the coping means not brooding over it.

The New York Times

For me, it would have been perfect for that scene with Napoleon, brooding over his folly.

The Telegraph

A key scene in the film shows someone brooding over Weibo, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Brooding, over-privileged and Danish, he sported a preposterous quiff that stood nearly six inches tall.

The Times

Remembrance of Vienna's past became brooding over America's future.

Los Angeles Times

Brooding over how things had turned out — after everything had already been decided — was another of my chronic problems.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brooding over" to effectively convey a sense of deep, often troubled, contemplation. It's particularly useful in narrative writing to reveal a character's internal state.

Common error

Avoid using "brooding over" in situations that are purely positive or celebratory. Its inherent connotation of worry or unease can create a jarring effect if used inappropriately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brooding over" functions as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a verb or noun to indicate the object of intense, often troubled, thought. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly used to describe someone deeply contemplating something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

19%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brooding over" is a prepositional phrase that effectively conveys deep, often troubled, contemplation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While versatile, it's best used to describe negative or anxious thought processes, avoiding contexts that call for positive reflection. As evidenced by its frequent appearance in news and academic sources, "brooding over" is suitable for a wide range of writing styles, making it a valuable tool for conveying a character's internal state or describing a somber atmosphere. Alternatives like "contemplating" or "pondering" can be used for a less intense meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dwelling on

Emphasizes persistence in thinking about something, often with negative undertones.

contemplating

Focuses on thoughtful consideration, potentially without the negative connotations of "brooding".

ruminating on

Highlights a deep and prolonged thought process, often with a cyclical nature.

pondering

Implies a careful and deliberate thought process, often about a specific issue.

mulling over

Suggests a slow and reflective consideration of something.

worrying about

Directly addresses the anxiety and unease associated with something.

obsessing about

Conveys an excessive and often irrational focus on something.

lost in thought about

Suggests a state of deep thinking, often detached from the surroundings.

preoccupied with

Indicates that someone's thoughts are mainly centered on a particular subject.

consumed by thoughts of

Implies that someone's entire mental energy is directed towards a specific concern.

FAQs

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

You can use "brooding over" to describe someone who is deeply and often negatively contemplating something. For example, "He was "brooding over" his missed opportunity".

What is a less intense synonym for "brooding over"?

If you want to convey thoughtfulness without the negative connotations, consider alternatives like "contemplating", "pondering", or "mulling over".

Is "brooding on" an acceptable alternative to "brooding over"?

While "brooding over" is more common, "brooding on" can also be used, though it might sound slightly less natural to modern ears. Both express the act of thinking deeply and anxiously.

What's the difference between "brooding over" and "reflecting on"?

"Brooding over" usually implies a negative or anxious state of mind, while "reflecting on" suggests a more neutral or even positive contemplation of past events or experiences.