dwell

/dwel/ (bre, ipa) · /dwel/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdwel/ (ame, mw)

dwell — 動詞

  • dwellpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • dwellshe / she / it
  • dweltpast simple
  • dwelledpast simple
  • dwelling-ing form

1. to keep thinking, talking, or writing about a particular subject for too long, e

1.動詞不及物B2
釋義

糾結；念念不忘

長時間執著於某事物（尤指負面之事）

to keep thinking, talking, or writing about a particular subject for too long, especially when doing so causes worry or sadness

例句

Priya chose not to dwell on the harsh words after the argument.

爭吵過後，Priya 選擇不去糾結那些傷人的話語。

dwell + on + thing (negative: choose not to dwell)

The journalist's report dwelt at length on the officials' mistakes during the storm.

那名記者的報導花了很大篇幅描述官員在暴風雨期間的失誤。

dwell + on + mistake (criticism, at length)

同義詞
  • linger on

    softer than 'dwell on'; can be positive or neutral ('linger on a memory')

  • harp on

    more informal and critical; implies annoying repetition

  • obsess about

    stronger and more emotional; suggests anxiety or compulsion

反義詞
  • move on

    to stop thinking about something and turn attention to other matters

  • let go

    to release emotional attachment to a subject

文法句型

dwell + on/upon + noun phrase

用法筆記

The phrasal verb 'dwell on' (or 'dwell upon') is the core pattern for this sense. Typically used with negative or critical content — the subject of dwelling is something unpleasant, disappointing, or painful. Positive topics are rarely 'dwelt on' in this sense.

常見錯誤

❌I dwelt on my happy childhood.
✅I thought about my happy childhood.
💡'dwell on' has a negative or obsessive tone and sounds unnatural with purely positive topics.
❌She dwelt about the problem.
✅She dwelt on the problem.
💡The correct preposition is 'on' or 'upon', not 'about'.

2. to make your home in a particular place for a long period of time, often over ma

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

居住

長期定居於某地

to make your home in a particular place for a long period of time, often over many years or generations

例句

The Nguyen family had dwelt in a small coastal village for generations before the war.

在戰爭爆發前，Nguyen 家族已在一個沿海的小村莊定居了好幾個世代。

dwell + in + place (literary past perfect)

Monks dwell in simple stone huts high up in the mountains, far from any town.

僧侶們居住在深山的簡樸石屋中，遠離任何城鎮。

dwell + in + place (present tense, describing lifestyle)

同義詞
  • reside

    similar formality — 'reside' is equally formal and often used in official or legal contexts

  • inhabit

    implies that someone or something occupies a region naturally, often used for animals or peoples

  • live

    the everyday, neutral word; 'dwell' and 'live' overlap in meaning but differ greatly in register

文法句型

dwell + in/at/among/with + place or group

用法筆記

Frequently used in formal or literary contexts. In everyday conversation, 'live' is the more natural choice. The past tense 'dwelt' (rather than 'dwelled') is more common in British English.

常見錯誤

❌I dwell in Taipei.
✅I live in Taipei.
💡'dwell' sounds overly formal or literary in everyday speech about where you live.

3. to be present as a noticeable quality, feeling, or feature within a person, grou

3.動詞不及物C1
釋義

存在

特質或情感存在於某處

to be present as a noticeable quality, feeling, or feature within a person, group, thing, or situation

例句

Deep peace dwells within the old temple's walls, even when crowds pass through.

即使人群穿過寺院，這座古老寺廟的牆內仍存在著深深的寧靜。

dwell + within + abstract quality (literary register)

The novel's true power dwells in its careful descriptions of everyday life during that era.

這部小說真正的力量存在於它對那個時代日常生活的細膩描寫中。

dwell + in + feature as source of value

同義詞
  • lie

    neutral and more common ('the answer lies in...'); less literary than 'dwell'

  • reside

    used similarly for abstract qualities ('the charm resides in its simplicity')

  • exist

    more direct and less formal; 'dwell' adds a poetic quality that 'exist' lacks

文法句型

dwell + in/within + abstract noun phrase

用法筆記

This sense is always intransitive and requires a prepositional phrase complement. Subject is typically an abstract quality (peace, power, beauty, confidence). Very rare in spoken English — found mainly in literary, philosophical, or formal descriptive writing.

常見錯誤

❌Happiness dwells.
✅A quiet happiness dwells within her.
💡This sense always requires a prepositional phrase ('in', 'within') to complete the idea.