a grate through which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a grate through which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an opening or a feature that allows something to pass through a grate, often in contexts related to ventilation, drainage, or design. Example: "The basement had a grate through which water could drain away during heavy rains."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The platform was actually a grate, through which the sands were being fed into a giant tank of hot water.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The roaster is a refractory-lined, upright cylindrical steel shell with a grate bottom through which air is blown in sufficient volume to keep fine, solid feed particles in suspension and give excellent gas-solid contact.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A coal furnace is made up of several elements: a chamber containing a grate on which combustion takes place and through which ashes drop for disposal; a chimney to carry away smoke and provide a draft of air; another source of air supply to help burn volatile gases and hydrocarbons; and a metal surface over which the hot gases pass and which transfers heat to circulating water or air.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The grates dissolve and the refrigerator door becomes a portal through which "The Drowsy Chaperone" 's garish, glamorous stock characters — low comedians, ingénues, Latin lovers — make their entrance.

The New Yorker

(Debtors' prisons in other cities and towns had what were called "beggars' grates," iron bars through which prisoners in cellar dungeons could extend outstretched palms).

The New Yorker

I looked down: beneath our feet, a sidewalk grate, and beneath that, unseen, a subway station, a train and open doors, through which we heard her, that familiar female, whoever she is: "This is a No. 6 train.

The New York Times

The size selectivity of the lipid bilayer is a result of its being not a simple fluid, the molecules of which move around and past a diffusing molecule, but an organized matrix, a kind of fixed grate, composed of the fatty acid chains of the phospholipids through which the diffusing molecule must fit.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Pigs crammed so tightly together, their fecal waste falls through metal grates upon which they stand throughout the day and night; chickens housed together in a sea of other chickens, warehoused together under one roof, their bodies caked with feces.

Huffington Post

Instead, Hamilton sat in a cage in the shu visiting area, and they spoke through a grate and held hands through a slot at the bottom of it.

The New Yorker

First, set a pan of water 3/4 full underneath the grate on which you'll be cooking your ribs.

WikiHow

The grate on which the sinter mix rests consists of a series of cast-iron bars with narrow spaces between them to allow the air through.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase accurately to describe a structure with openings that allows passage, such as in drainage systems or industrial processes. Ensure the context makes clear what is passing through the "grate".

Common error

Avoid using "a grate through which" when a simple opening or direct passage is meant. A "grate" implies a filtering or restrictive element, not merely a void.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a grate through which" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb to describe the means or path of passage. Ludwig's examples show its use in describing physical processes where something is being filtered or allowed to pass through a grate-like structure.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a grate through which" is a prepositional phrase used to describe a passage or filtering process through a structure with openings. While grammatically sound, Ludwig indicates that its frequency is rare and is primarily used in news, encyclopedias and wikis. To enhance your writing, consider the context and whether more concise alternatives like "through a grate" or "a filter through which" might be suitable. Be mindful of its function, as highlighted by Ludwig, to accurately convey the intended meaning and avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a screen through which

Replaces 'grate' with 'screen', implying a finer mesh or barrier.

a filter through which

Uses 'filter' instead of 'grate', suggesting a more refined separation process.

an opening through which

Generalizes 'grate' to 'opening', indicating any kind of aperture.

a mesh through which

Substitutes 'grate' with 'mesh', highlighting the interwoven structure.

a lattice through which

Replaces 'grate' with 'lattice', emphasizing a decorative, grid-like structure.

a sieve through which

Uses 'sieve' instead of 'grate', implying a tool for separating materials by size.

a conduit through which

Replaces 'grate' with 'conduit', suggesting a channel for conveying something.

a vent through which

Substitutes 'grate' with 'vent', emphasizing the passage of air or gas.

a framework through which

Generalizes 'grate' to 'framework', indicating a supporting structure with openings.

a perforation through which

Replaces 'grate' with 'perforation', highlighting the presence of small holes.

FAQs

How can I use "a grate through which" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to describe something passing through a grate. For instance, "The water drained through a "grate through which" debris was filtered out".

What is an alternative to "a grate through which"?

Alternatives include "a screen through which", "a filter through which", or simply describing the grate's function directly, such as "a grate that filters debris".

Is it correct to say "through a grate" instead of "a grate through which"?

"Through a grate" is often more concise and grammatically correct, depending on the sentence structure. "The water flowed through a grate" is a common and acceptable alternative.

What's the difference between "a grate through which" and "a grid through which"?

While both refer to structures with openings, "grate" implies a more robust and often functional structure (like for drainage), while "grid" suggests a more uniform and potentially decorative pattern. Choose based on the specific structure you're describing.