Mull over means think about something slowly and carefully: I need a day to mull over the offer. People mull over offers, ideas and decisions: she is still mulling over whether to accept the role. I'd like to mull it over is a normal request for time, not a hidden refusal.
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mull over an offer / idea; mull something over; mull it over
- I need a day to mull over the offer.
- We mulled the idea over during the train journey.
- She is still mulling over whether to accept the role.
What changed
First versionI would like to mull over it before answering.
RevisionI would like to mull it over before answering.
Most verbs take the object right after them, so mull over it looks logical. But with a phrasal verb, a pronoun goes between the parts: mull it over. With a noun both orders work: mull over the offer or mull the offer over.
Think over is a near synonym and sounds more neutral. Mull over means think slowly, coming back to the idea again and again: I mulled it over all weekend. Dwell on means get stuck on something unpleasant: don't dwell on your mistakes.
Your turn
Choose the correct pronoun position: The offer is interesting, but I need to ___.
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mull it over — The pronoun it goes between mull and over: mull it over. Mull over it sounds wrong.
Reply to an invitation or offer: ask for time to mull it over and give a reason.
I'd like to mull the invitation over because the dates overlap with our school holiday.
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