Dwell on means think or talk about something for too long, getting stuck on it: I don't want to dwell on one awkward moment from the interview. It's usually about something unpleasant: a mistake, a failure, the past. Don't dwell on it means 'let it go'. It can be neutral too: the guide dwelled on the unusual windows, so he spent a while on them.
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dwell on a mistake / subject / detail; dwelt or dwelled on; not dwell on it
- The meeting dwelt on the delay instead of discussing the next step.
- I don't want to dwell on one awkward moment from the interview.
- The guide dwelled on the building's unusual windows.
What changed
First versionThe report dwelt about the early difficulties for several pages.
RevisionThe report dwelt on the early difficulties for several pages.
Think about and talk about make about feel natural: dwelt about the difficulties. But dwell goes with on: dwelt on the early difficulties. In the past, both dwelt and dwelled are correct.
Mention means refer to something in passing. Dwell on means stay on a topic longer than needed: the review dwelt on the opening scene. Think about is just thinking, while dwell on adds 'stuck and can't let go'.
Your turn
Complete the phrasal verb: Let's not dwell ___ the mistake; we have already corrected it.
Show the answer
on — Dwell goes with on: dwell on the mistake. About works with think and talk, but not with dwell.
Describe a review, meeting or conversation where people spent far too long on one detail.
The review dwelt on the opening scene and said very little about the rest of the film.
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