What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
brooded
Example
She sat alone in her room, brooding over the argument she had with her friend. [brooding: present participle]
Example
He brooded over his failures, unable to let go of the past. [brooded: past tense]
dwell
Example
She tends to dwell on the negative aspects of her life, which affects her overall happiness. [dwell: verb]
Example
He dwelled on the mistake he made for days, unable to move on. [dwelling: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dwell is more commonly used than brooded in everyday language. Dwell is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while brooded is less common and more specific in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between brooded and dwell?
Both brooded and dwell can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, brooded may have a slightly more formal tone due to its less common usage.
