What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
brood
Example
She sat in her room, brooding over her failed exam. [brooding: present participle]
Example
He has a tendency to brood over small problems and let them consume him. [brood: verb]
dwell
Example
They dwell in a small village by the sea. [dwell: verb]
Example
Let's not dwell on the past and focus on the future. [dwell: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dwell is more commonly used than brood in everyday language. Dwell is a versatile word that can be used to describe physical location or prolonged thinking/talking, making it more common in different contexts. On the other hand, brood is less common and is typically used in more specific situations related to deep thought or worry.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between brood and dwell?
Both brood and dwell can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, brood may have a slightly more serious or intense connotation, which could make it more suitable for formal writing or serious discussions.
