dwell on the past vs dwell in the past

'Dwell on the past' and 'dwell in the past' are both acceptable English phrases, but the contexts in which they are used differ a bit. 'Dwell on the past' is more commonly used and means to focus or think a lot about past events. On the other hand, 'dwell in the past' is less common and implies being stuck or living in the past.

Explained by Gregg
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: August 22, 2024 • 28159 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"dwell on the past"

This phrase means to focus or think a lot about past events or situations.

Examples:

She tends to dwell on the past and find it hard to move on.
Instead of dwelling on the past, try to focus on the present.
Don't dwell too much on the past; look towards the future.
It's not healthy to constantly dwell on the past.
He can't stop dwelling on the past mistakes he made.

Show examples from the web [+]
Last updated: November 01, 2024

Mar 19, 2022 ... [Advice] Never ever dwell on the past as dwelling on the past can really fuck your life up. Sorry, this post was deleted by the person who ...
Dec 12, 2020 ... Don't Dwell on the Past (Live Mindfully) ... Something that I believe a lot of OCD sufferers struggle with (at least, I know I did) is dealing ...
Jun 25, 2018 ... • 3y ago •. I dwell on the past all the time so much that it ruined my relationship, it's sad life is fucked up. Upvote 2. Downvote Award
Oct 12, 2018 ... The day has happened, and it can't be changed. However, a teacher can change tomorrow. So, do not dwell on the past.
May 22, 2023 ... Don't Dwell on the Past ... Hey team, it is a beautiful Monday, and I'm excited to be here with you again. Will Rogers said, “Don't let yesterday ...
Oct 22, 2023 ... abontv on October 22, 2023: "Don't look back! Don't dwell on the past! We MOVE FORWARD by staying focused on the now and the future we ...
May 28, 2024 ... "Dogs do not worry about the future or dwell on the past. They exist in the moment."
Apr 4, 2016 ... Why do I get a little sense of sadness when I dwell on the past? I can only share with you my own struggles with this issue. For me, it's a ...
Card Name: Dwell on the Past ; Mana Cost: Green ; Mana Value: 1 ; Types: Sorcery ; Card Text: Target player shuffles up to four target cards from their graveyard ...
Why shouldn't you dwell on the past? When someone you love dies, do you preserve their body, and carry it with you forever? You discard the body and keep ...

Alternatives:

fixate on the past
obsess over the past
ruminate on the past
reflect on the past
ponder the past

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in English.

"dwell in the past"

This phrase implies being stuck or living in the past, rather than just thinking about it.

Examples:

She seems to dwell in the past, unable to move forward.
Some people prefer to dwell in the past rather than face the present.
He's always dwelling in the past, never looking towards the future.
Living in the past can prevent you from enjoying the present.
It's not healthy to dwell in the past for too long.

Show examples from the web [+]
Last updated: November 01, 2024

Dec 18, 2009 ... RT @conduru: “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” ~ Buddha. — Emily Breder (@ ...
Apr 4, 2016 ... What makes someone constantly dwell in the past, instead of looking at what great things they have now and for the future? As someone who ...
May 3, 2017 ... “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” — Buddha. The key to a productive, ...
Apr 29, 2021 ... "And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors." ... 'Cause soon it will pass. ... Or the shadow it casts. ... Doesn't dwell in the past. So why ...
Mar 30, 2023 ... Sometimes writing them over and over, repeatedly, as and when you begin to dwell in the past, is a very handy and practical technique to ...
May 22, 2023 ... It's good to review past mistakes or failures to improve, but don't dwell in the past, or you'll never see what's in front of you.
Jan 6, 2021 ... ... dwell in the past (rest on his laurels) but rather did something in the present (aggressively continue to improve himself). I had the ...
Oct 25, 2012 ... Why Do We Dwell in the Past? ... After something stressful has occurred it would be nice if we could leave it behind and move on with our lives.
... dwell in the past, do not worry about the future, focus on living your life fully in the present. One day you will look back and realize that you worried ...
Oct 30, 2020 ... "Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment." – LORD BUDDHA {All my anxiety subsided in the arms of my ...

Alternatives:

live in the past
be stuck in the past
remain in the past
reside in the past
linger in the past

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dwell on the past vs dwell in the past

"dwell on the past"

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