dwelt on

USAGE SUMMARY

"dwell" is a valid and usable verb in English writing.
It means "to stay for a long time in one place or in a particular state of mind". For example, "I dwelled on the thought of failure and was unable to move forward".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Briefly, visibly, the realization of that dwelt on Fàbregas.

The New York Times - Sports

The speech in Downing Street dwelt on other fractures.

The Guardian - Opinion

'The film dwelt on the negative side far too early.

The Guardian

This year's show dwelt on the financial crisis and uneasy relations between City Hall and Albany.

The New Yorker

He abhorred art that dwelt on aesthetics at the expense of social problems.

The New York Times - Arts

On a visit in September his vice-president, Joe Biden, dwelt on NAFTA's untapped potential.

The Economist

It was popular in art long before the Renaissance dwelt on all those glitzy Magi.

The Guardian - Arts

During the recount, many noticed this, and some dwelt on it, perhaps unkindly.

The New York Times - Magazine

The catalog dwelt on the importance of that year in the oeuvre of the Paris school artist.

The New York Times - Arts

The press, in covering the trial, dwelt on details of the alleged gay relationship between Thorpe and Scott.

The Guardian - Opinion

The film dwelt on the Russian leader's humble origins and his attachment to his late parents.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dwelt on" to emphasize sustained attention to a topic, especially when conveying depth of thought or extended discussion.

Common error

While "dwelt on" is valid, avoid overusing it in concise writing. Opt for more direct verbs like "focused", "explained", or "analyzed" when brevity is essential.

Linguistic Context

The verb phrase "dwelt on" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the act of focusing or elaborating on a specific topic. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from discussing personal feelings to analyzing complex issues.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

11%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dwelt on" is a frequently used phrasal verb that signifies a focus or prolonged attention on a particular subject. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and versatile, fitting into various contexts ranging from personal reflections to formal analyses. While it's a strong choice for emphasizing depth of thought, remember to balance its use with more concise alternatives when brevity is key. Across News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, the phrase maintains a neutral tone, ensuring its appropriateness in diverse writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

focused on

This alternative implies a concentration of attention on a specific topic, similar to "dwelt on" but with a slightly more active connotation.

concentrated on

Like "focused on", it implies a strong mental effort to understand and give atention about a topic.

elaborated on

This suggests providing more details and expanding upon a subject, akin to "dwelt on" but emphasizing the addition of information.

expatiated on

Similar to 'elaborated on', but suggests a more formal and extensive discussion.

lingered over

Implies a prolonged and often affectionate consideration of something, contrasting with the potentially neutral tone of "dwelt on".

reflected on

Indicates a thoughtful consideration of past events or experiences, adding a reflective dimension not always present in "dwelt on".

mused about

This suggests a more casual and contemplative form of thinking about something, differing from the potentially more serious tone of "dwelt on".

meditated on

Similar to 'reflected on', but implies a deeper and more spiritual contemplation.

pored over

This alternative describes a thorough and detailed examination of something, often with a sense of absorption, different from simply "dwelt on".

dedicated time to

This suggests a commitment of resources, specifically time, to the pursuit of a thing. It implies greater agency or will in the action than just pondering.

FAQs

How can I use "dwelt on" in a sentence?

You can use "dwelt on" to indicate that someone spent considerable time thinking or speaking about something, as in "The speaker "dwelt on" the importance of environmental conservation".

What are some alternatives to "dwelt on"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "focused on", "elaborated on", or "reflected on".

Is it correct to say "dwelled on" instead of "dwelt on"?

"Dwelt" is the more common and generally preferred past tense and past participle of "dwell". While "dwelled" is also correct, it is less frequently used.

What is the difference between "dwelt on" and "touched on"?

"Dwelt on" implies a thorough and extended discussion or consideration, while "touched on" suggests a brief or cursory mention. For instance, the speaker "dwelt on" the main points and only "touched on" the minor details.