to dwell on

USAGE SUMMARY

"to dwell on" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the act of thinking or talking about something for a long time, often with a negative connotation. Example: "She tends to dwell on her past mistakes." Alternative expressions include "to linger on" and "to ruminate on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm not one to dwell on the bad.

Huffington Post

Never allow yourself to dwell on downer, depressing ones.

The New York Times

No one wants to dwell on it.

The New York Times

Better not to dwell on that.

The New York Times - Magazine

There's nothing to dwell on.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm not going to dwell on it.

The New York Times

I'm not going to dwell on today".

The New York Times - Sports

There isn't time to dwell on things.

The New York Times

Ward refuses to dwell on setbacks.

The Guardian - Sport

He tried not to dwell on that.

The New York Times

He tried not to dwell on it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to dwell on", be mindful of the context. It often carries a negative connotation, suggesting an excessive focus on something unpleasant. Consider whether a more neutral alternative like "to reflect on" or "to consider" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "to dwell on" when you intend to convey a positive or neutral reflection. The phrase typically implies a negative or burdensome focus. Instead, opt for alternatives like "to savor" or "to appreciate" when describing positive experiences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to dwell on" functions as a verb phrase, typically used intransitively. It describes the act of repeatedly thinking or focusing on something, often with a negative or prolonged emphasis. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to dwell on" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that signifies repeatedly thinking or focusing on something, frequently with a negative connotation. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples confirms its prevalence across diverse sources, particularly within the news and media landscape. While its register is generally neutral, careful consideration should be given to the context in which it is used, as it often carries implications of negativity or excessive preoccupation. When aiming for neutral or positive reflection, alternative phrases like "to focus on" or "to reflect on" may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to focus on

This alternative suggests a concentration of attention, but without the implication of lingering negativity often associated with "to dwell on".

to reflect on

This implies a thoughtful consideration of something, often past events, with less of the negative connotation sometimes associated with dwelling.

to concentrate on

Similar to "to focus on", this emphasizes mental effort directed towards a specific subject, differing from the potentially passive nature of dwelling.

to linger on

This implies a prolonged engagement with a topic, similar to dwelling but perhaps with a lighter connotation.

to ruminate on

This alternative implies a deep and often anxious consideration, more intense than simply dwelling.

to mull over

This suggests a slow and deliberate process of thinking about something, similar to dwelling but often implying a search for a solution.

to elaborate on

This suggests expanding upon a topic with detail, rather than simply thinking about it repeatedly.

to consider at length

This indicates a thorough examination of a topic, removing the potential negative connotations associated with dwelling.

to expand on

Like "to elaborate on", this suggests providing further details, differing from the reflective nature of dwelling.

to emphasize on

This alternative indicates highlighting the importance of something, rather than necessarily spending a lot of time thinking about it.

FAQs

What does "to dwell on" mean?

The phrase "to dwell on" means to think or talk about something for a long time, often something unpleasant. It implies a focus that can be unproductive or even detrimental.

What can I say instead of "to dwell on"?

You can use alternatives like "to focus on", "to reflect on", or "to consider" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "to dwell on"?

Yes, "to dwell on" is grammatically correct and widely used in English. It follows the standard structure of an infinitive verb followed by a preposition.

What is the difference between "to dwell on" and "to focus on"?

"To dwell on" often implies a lingering, sometimes negative, focus. While "to focus on" suggests a more neutral or purposeful concentration of attention.