ruminate on

USAGE SUMMARY

"ruminate on" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing the act of thinking deeply or reflecting on a particular subject. Example: "She took a moment to ruminate on the implications of her decision." Alternative expressions include "ponder over," "reflect on," and "contemplate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He left it for his wife to ruminate on, trying to puzzle it out.

The New York Times

It can be something they might really ruminate on, he adds, now that their higher neural functions are active again.

Vice

Thirty-two wereers were asked to ruminate on one of the nations lining up in Germany.

The Guardian - Books

I'd like to ruminate on this last one -- improving self-esteem.

Huffington Post

The team could ruminate on the misfortune for one more night.

The New York Times - Sports

It is a meaningless number, but one nevertheless delightful to ruminate on.

The New York Times - Sports

A sacred place, where one may, and should, ruminate on matters of life and death.

Vice

More specifically, stress-reactive rumination involves the tendency to ruminate on negative inferences following stressful events (Robinson and Alloy 2003).

Cognitive Therapy and Research

Why ruminate on "reinvention" now?

The New York Times

But he does not have time to ruminate on them.

The New York Times

Rafsanjani was left to ruminate on the perils of moderation.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ruminate on" when you want to convey a sense of deep, thoughtful consideration. It suggests more than a passing thought and implies a level of introspection.

Common error

Avoid using "ruminate" without "on" when you intend to convey deep thinking about a specific subject. "Ruminate" alone often refers to the digestive process in animals, or a more general sense of pondering.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ruminate on" is that of a phrasal verb. It describes the action of engaging in deep and prolonged thought about something. As shown in Ludwig's examples, the phrase is used to express the act of considering a topic carefully.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ruminate on" functions as a phrasal verb indicating deep and thoughtful consideration. Ludwig's examples confirm its frequent use across diverse contexts, notably News & Media, Science and Wiki. While typically neutral to formal, it may also occur in informal conversation. Alternatives to "ruminate on" include "ponder over" or "reflect upon", though some alternatives carry slightly different nuances. Be sure to use "ruminate on" instead of just "ruminate" to clearly convey the act of deep thinking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ponder over

Implies careful and prolonged thought about something, often a problem or decision.

reflect upon

Suggests a more formal and deliberate consideration of something, often past events.

contemplate

Indicates a thoughtful observation or consideration, often with a sense of wonder or awe.

meditate on

Implies a more spiritual or introspective form of deep thought.

give thought to

Suggests a conscious effort to consider something, often a proposal or suggestion.

deliberate about

Signifies a careful and thorough discussion or consideration of something.

muse over

Suggests a gentle and thoughtful consideration, often in a detached or whimsical way.

weigh up

Emphasizes balancing different options and carefully evaluating pros and cons.

chew over

Implies thinking about something carefully and thoroughly, often over a period of time.

brood about

Indicates a persistent and often negative focus on a particular subject.

FAQs

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

You can use "ruminate on" to describe thinking deeply or reflecting on a particular subject. For example, "She needed time to ruminate on her decision before making it official."

What are some alternatives to "ruminate on"?

You can use alternatives like "ponder over", "reflect upon", or "contemplate" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "ruminate" instead of "ruminate on"?

While "ruminate" can sometimes be used alone, it often implies a general state of deep thought. Using "ruminate on" is more specific and indicates thinking deeply about a particular topic.

What's the difference between "ruminate on" and "brood about"?

"Ruminate on" generally suggests thoughtful consideration, while "brood about" implies a more negative and anxious focus on a particular subject.