keep dwelling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep dwelling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of continuing to think or talk about something, often in a negative or repetitive manner. Example: "You need to stop keeping dwelling on past mistakes and focus on the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"It's going to haunt me the rest of my life, probably, if I keep dwelling on the past," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

I could look back and think 'could of, should of, would of,' but if I keep dwelling on things in the past, that doesn't help".

The New York Times

"This is such a traumatic experience, it's a horrendous experience that for me to keep dwelling on it is harmful to me," Sirhan said.

The Guardian

Football is like a rollercoaster and if you keep dwelling on what's happened in the past you're never going to move".

Independent

"If you keep dwelling on anything that already happened, whether it's last night's slider or the way the wind took a ball or trades that were made or weren't made, you get stuck in a rut," Mets Manager Bobby Valentine said.

The New York Times - Sports

That problem you keep dwelling on or person you keep thinking about will not be cured by escaping your reality.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

I kept dwelling on this darn insurance, a symbol in the Feiring household that went way back.

The New York Times

But it was her own ads that she kept dwelling on, and as she spoke, I could see that she'd been fighting the war that the best politicians fight — the war within herself to preserve her own humanity.

The New York Times

I just kept dwelling on the vision of that beautiful small boy lying dead all because it had not been "my problem".

Vice

Another popular myth is that philosophy keeps dwelling on the same questions, the implication being that, again, it doesn't settle anything and consequently cannot move on to something else.

Huffington Post

The endless hustling also helps him to avoid the ennui that grips many in the camp and to keep from dwelling on what might come next.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone, be specific about what actions they can take to avoid "keep dwelling" on a problem, such as engaging in hobbies or seeking social support.

Common error

Avoid using "keep dwelling" when you mean constructive problem-solving. "Keep dwelling" implies unproductive, repetitive thought. Replace it with phrases that emphasize forward progress or active analysis if the goal is to find solutions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep dwelling" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a continuous action. It describes the act of repeatedly focusing on or thinking about something, often with a negative connotation. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Science

13%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep dwelling" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes a continuous, often unproductive, focus on a particular subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. While it's generally neutral in register, its usage often carries a negative connotation, suggesting a need to move past the subject of focus. Alternatives like "continue to ruminate on" or "obsess over" can be used to emphasize different aspects of the continuous thought process. It's crucial to distinguish "keep dwelling" from healthy reflection, which leads to understanding and action, whereas "keep dwelling" can lead to stagnation. Therefore, when advising someone, it's beneficial to provide actionable steps for redirecting their focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dwell on

This is shorter and similar, but lacks the continuous sense.

persist in thinking about

Emphasizes the continuous and determined nature of the thinking process.

continue to ruminate on

Highlights the repetitive and often unproductive nature of the thought.

obsess over

Implies an excessive and unhealthy preoccupation with something.

harp on

Implies repeatedly mentioning or focusing on something, often annoyingly.

remain focused on

Focuses on the sustained attention given to a particular topic.

linger on

Suggests a prolonged and often unwanted focus on a subject.

fixate on

Implies an intense and often irrational focus on something.

mull over

Suggests a thoughtful and often prolonged consideration of something.

preoccupy oneself with

Emphasizes the extent to which the subject dominates one's thoughts.

FAQs

What does "keep dwelling" mean?

"Keep dwelling" means to continue thinking or focusing on something, often a negative or problematic issue, in a way that is repetitive and unproductive.

How can I stop myself from "keep dwelling" on negative thoughts?

Distract yourself with activities you enjoy, practice mindfulness, or talk to someone about your concerns to avoid "keep dwelling" on negative thoughts.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "keep dwelling"?

You can use alternatives like "continue to ruminate on", "obsess over", or "linger on" depending on the context.

Is it always bad to "keep dwelling" on something?

While reflection is important, "keep dwelling" suggests an unproductive cycle of thought. Healthy reflection leads to understanding or action, while "keep dwelling" often results in stagnation or increased negativity.