What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
brood
Example
She sat alone in her room, brooding over the argument she had with her friend. [brooding: present participle]
Example
He tends to brood over his mistakes, unable to let go of them. [brood: verb]
ponder
Example
I need some time to ponder whether I should accept the job offer. [ponder: verb]
Example
She sat by the window, pondering the meaning of life. [pondering: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ponder is more commonly used than brood in everyday language. Ponder is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while brood is less common and often carries a more negative connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between brood and ponder?
Both brood and ponder can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, ponder is generally considered more neutral and can be used in a wider range of formality levels.
