Dwell On

Pronunciation: /dwɛl ɒn/

Definitions of dwell on

verb to think, speak, or write at length about (a particular subject, especially one that is a source of unhappiness, anxiety, or dissatisfaction)

Example Sentences

A1 I don't dwell on negative thoughts.

A2 She tends to dwell on past mistakes.

B1 It's not healthy to dwell on things you can't change.

B2 He refuses to dwell on the past and prefers to focus on the future.

C1 Some people have a tendency to dwell on trivial matters.

C2 As a therapist, I help clients move past dwelling on their problems and focus on solutions.

Examples of dwell on in a Sentence

formal It is not productive to dwell on past mistakes in a professional setting.

informal Don't dwell on what happened, just move on and focus on the present.

slang Stop dwelling on it, it's not worth your time and energy.

figurative His mind tends to dwell on negative thoughts, preventing him from enjoying the present moment.

Grammatical Forms of dwell on

• past tense: dwelt
• plural: dwell on
• comparative: more dwell on
• superlative: most dwell on
• present tense: dwell
• future tense: will dwell
• perfect tense: have dwelt
• continuous tense: is dwelling
• singular: dwells on
• positive degree: dwell on
• infinitive: to dwell on
• gerund: dwelling on
• participle: dwell on

Origin and Evolution of dwell on

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Middle English

Story behind the word: The phrase 'dwell on' comes from Middle English, where 'dwell' meant to remain or stay and 'on' indicated a specific focus or attention.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the phrase 'dwell on' has evolved to mean to think or talk about something for a long time, often with a negative connotation of lingering on a particular subject or issue.