linger over

USAGE SUMMARY

'linger over' is a correct phrase in English.
You can use it when you wish to express that someone takes longer than usual to do something or to indicate that something lasts for a longer period than anticipated. For example: We lingered over our dinner, enjoying the delicious food and pleasant conversation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Arts

Books

Food

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Clearly fishermen don't linger over breakfast.

The Guardian - Travel

Or just one long drink to linger over, like the one pictured here.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Mourning Diary" is a slender volume that one wants to linger over, to devour slowly.

The New York Times - Books

Some faces you linger over because you want to know them, some because you already do.

The New York Times - Arts

You get to linger over things that previously might have merited only a passing glance.

The New York Times - Travel

Questions linger over his role.

Independent

— I didn't linger over it.

The New Yorker

Disagreements linger over its scope.

The Economist

It seemed to linger over its subject.

Independent

This is food to linger over.

The New York Times

Bondologists may linger over that Turkey location.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "linger over" to describe a pleasant experience that you want to prolong, such as "linger over" a good meal or a beautiful view.

Common error

Avoid using "linger over" when describing negative or unpleasant experiences. Instead, opt for phrases like "dwell on" or "get stuck on" to convey a sense of being trapped or preoccupied with something undesirable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "linger over" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, indicating the act of spending more time than usual on something, often with pleasure or careful attention. As Ludwig examples show, this can apply to physical activities like eating, as well as mental activities like contemplating an image or idea.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Travel

11%

Books

11%

Less common in

Arts

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

27%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "linger over" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that signifies spending more time than necessary on something, often with enjoyment or careful attention. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Analysis of Ludwig examples reveals that "linger over" is most commonly found in news and media, travel writing, and book reviews. While "linger over" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, it's important to consider the specific nuance and context to ensure the most appropriate usage. For negative contexts, using alternatives such as ""dwell on"" is advisable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dwell on

Focuses more on mental contemplation or reflection rather than physical lingering.

savor

Implies enjoying something slowly and deliberately, often related to taste or experience.

deliberate over

Emphasizes careful and thorough consideration of a matter.

tarry

Suggests a temporary delay or pause in movement or action.

pause over

Indicates a brief stop or hesitation while considering something.

take your time with

Advises not to rush and to proceed at a comfortable pace.

prolong

Refers to extending the duration of something.

extend

Suggests making something longer in time or space.

stretch out

Indicates making something last longer, often applied to time or resources.

draw out

Implies extending something, often to an unnecessary or tedious length.

FAQs

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

You can use "linger over" to describe taking your time to enjoy something, like "We lingered over coffee after dinner" or to describe spending more time than necessary thinking about something, as in "Don't "dwell on" the past; focus on the future".

What does "linger over" mean?

"Linger over" means to spend a long time doing something or to prolong an activity, often because it is enjoyable or important. For example, "They lingered over the details of the contract".

What can I say instead of "linger over"?

You can use alternatives like ""dwell on"", "savor", or "tarry" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "linger on" instead of "linger over"?

While "linger" and "linger on" can be used to mean to remain or stay longer, "linger over" specifically implies spending extended time on something, often with enjoyment or careful consideration. The choice depends on the specific context.