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Phrasal verbs "drag on" vs "dwell on"

Differences between drag on and dwell on

Drag on means to continue for a long time, especially in a tedious or uninteresting way. Dwell on means to think or talk about something at length, often in a negative or obsessive way.

Meanings and Definitions: drag on vs dwell on

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Drag on

  • 1Be unnecessarily long.

    The meeting DRAGGED ON for two and a half hours.

Dwell on

  • 1Spend a lot of time on something.

    The programme DWELLED ON little other than the scandal.

Usage Examples: drag on, dwell on in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

drag on

Example

The meeting dragged on for hours.

Example

The lecture drags on and everyone starts to lose interest.

dwell on

Example

I don't want to dwell on the past.

Example

She dwells on her mistakes too much.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Drag on

go on and on

To continue for a long time, especially in a tedious or uninteresting way.

Example

The meeting went on and on for hours, and everyone was getting bored.

linger on

To continue for longer than necessary or expected.

Example

The smell of smoke lingered on long after the fire had been put out.

stretch out

To continue for a longer period than expected or desired.

Example

The project stretched out for months longer than anticipated, causing frustration among the team members.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Dwell on

fixate on

To become obsessed with or focus excessively on something.

Example

She fixated on the mistake she made at work and couldn't stop thinking about it.

obsess over

To think or talk about something at length, often in a negative or compulsive way.

Example

He obsessed over his appearance, spending hours in front of the mirror every day.

harbor on

To keep thinking or talking about something negative or unpleasant.

Example

She harbored on the argument she had with her friend and couldn't let it go.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “drag”

Phrasal Verbs with “dwell”

Phrasal Verbs with “on”

Differences in drag on vs dwell on: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: drag on or dwell on?

Both drag on and dwell on are commonly used in everyday conversation, but drag on is more frequently used. It's often used to describe situations that are taking longer than expected or are becoming boring. Dwell on is used less often and is usually reserved for situations where someone is obsessing over something.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of drag on and dwell on

Both drag on and dwell on are informal phrases that are suitable for casual conversations with friends and family. However, in more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more professional tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of drag on and dwell on

The tone of drag on and dwell on can differ based on context. Drag on often carries a negative or impatient tone when referring to something that is taking too long or becoming tedious. Dwell on typically has a more introspective or negative tone, especially when referring to someone who is obsessing over something.

drag on & dwell on: Synonyms and Antonyms

Dwell on

Synonyms

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