keep dwelling on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep dwelling on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of continuously thinking about or discussing something, often in a negative or obsessive manner. Example: "She tends to keep dwelling on her past mistakes instead of moving forward."

✓ 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

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

Independent

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

"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

47 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

Continue dwelling on the sad thought.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone, consider using alternatives like "move on" or "focus on the future" instead of telling them to not "keep dwelling on" something, as it can sound dismissive.

Common error

Avoid using "keep dwelling on" when offering support. A more empathetic approach involves acknowledging the person's feelings first before suggesting they shift their focus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep dwelling on" functions as a verb phrase indicating a continuous and often undesirable mental state. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in discouraging prolonged focus on negative experiences or past events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep dwelling on" is a grammatically sound verb phrase that describes the act of persistently focusing on something, often with negative implications. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While the phrase is relatively common, it's important to consider the potential impact of using it, as it can sometimes come across as dismissive. Therefore, opting for more empathetic and supportive language may be more appropriate in certain contexts. Alternatives include phrases like "persist in thinking about" or "continue to ruminate on", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persist in thinking about

This alternative emphasizes the ongoing nature of the thought process.

continue to ruminate on

This suggests a deeper, more meditative, and potentially negative consideration.

obsess over

Implies an excessive and preoccupying focus on something.

fixate on

Highlights an unwavering focus, often to an unhealthy degree.

linger over

Suggests a prolonged and often unwanted focus.

harp on

This implies repetitive and tiresome discussion or thought about something.

mull over constantly

Emphasizes repeated and thoughtful consideration.

be preoccupied with

Highlights the state of being mentally engaged with something.

chew over repeatedly

Suggests a thorough and continuous mental examination.

remain focused on

This is more neutral, simply stating continued focus without negative connotations.

FAQs

What does "keep dwelling on" mean?

The phrase "keep dwelling on" means to continuously think or talk about something, especially something unpleasant or problematic. It implies a repetitive and often unproductive focus.

How can I avoid "keeping dwelling on" negative thoughts?

To avoid "keeping dwelling on" negative thoughts, try distracting yourself with activities you enjoy, practicing mindfulness, or talking to a trusted friend or therapist. Focusing on solutions rather than problems can also help.

What are some alternatives to "keep dwelling on"?

You can use alternatives like "persist in thinking about", "continue to ruminate on", or "obsess over" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

While "keeping dwelling on" something is often seen negatively, sometimes it's necessary for processing emotions or learning from mistakes. However, if it becomes excessive or prevents you from moving forward, it's likely harmful.