mull something over vs ruminate

[jacdac]

What is the difference:

a) I mull things over vs I am ruminating.

b) She needs to mull over what to study next year vs She needs to ruminate what to study next year.

Thank you in advance.

 

[irinet]

Hi,
It seems to me that both ('ruminate about/on, mull over') mean to think and give careful consideration to what to study for the next year. So, they look synonymous to me.

 

[Glenfarclas]

I would only use "mull over" in reference to the process of coming to a decision, whereas "ruminate," it seems to me, applies to any kind of deep, reflective thinking.

"She needed a full week to mull over the offer."
"He sat by the fire all evening, ruminating about past loves."

 

[Parla]

I agree with Glenfarclas, and I wouldn't use either of those terms in your what-to-study sentence. I'd say: She needs to decide what to study next year. OR: She needs to think about what to study next year.

Glenfarclas's examples for "mull over" and "ruminate" are good ones. Don't use both in the same sentence.