Phrasal verb
dwell upon
Definition
phrasal verb. to spend a lot of time thinking or talking about something, especially something sad or unpleasant.
phrasal verb. to linger on a particular thought or topic; specifically to obsess over or ruminate on a past event or negative situation. Often used with abstract objects.
Examples
“You shouldn't dwell upon your past mistakes.”
“Instead of looking for a new job, he continued to dwell upon the reasons why he was fired.”
“The novelist tends to dwell upon themes of isolation and loss, creating a somber atmosphere that permeates every chapter of the book.”
Examples
simple
“You shouldn't dwell upon your past mistakes.”
contextual
“Instead of looking for a new job, he continued to dwell upon the reasons why he was fired.”
complex
“The novelist tends to dwell upon themes of isolation and loss, creating a somber atmosphere that permeates every chapter of the book.”
Usage
Usually followed by a negative experience or a problem that cannot be changed.
Teaching tip
Contrast with 'think about'; 'dwell upon' implies a lack of progress or an unhealthy focus. Note that 'dwell on' is more common in modern speech, while 'dwell upon' feels slightly more formal or literary.
Pitfall
Don't dwell to the problem.
Don't dwell upon the problem.
The verb 'dwell' requires the preposition 'upon' or 'on' to connect to the object of thought.
Phrasal verb
Particles
upon
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
dwell + upon + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/dwell-upon