a long grind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a long grind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a prolonged and often tedious effort or process, typically in a work or academic context. Example: "Studying for finals can be a long grind, but it's worth it in the end."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"This is a long grind.

The New York Times

What is left is a long grind back to prosperity.

The New York Times

That's a long grind at Madison Square Garden".

The New York Times - Sports

As we covered yesterday, the German coalition talks are going to be a long grind.

The Guardian - Business

It's just a long grind with diminishing returns in terms of feeling accomplished.

The Guardian - Tech

Considerably sobered, Holly and his sidemen started a long grind of country roadshows.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The Soviet Union fell into a long, grinding, corrupt decline.

The Guardian - Tech

The shad then changed direction and headed downriver in a long, grinding run.

The New York Times - Sports

Federer would play a long, grinding rally one point, then attack and play a shorter point the next.

The New York Times

If technology faces a long, grinding road to recovery, it is not because large corporations doubt technology's power.

The New York Times

He answered a long, grinding Dallas drive with a quick-strike drive that tied the score at 14-14.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a long grind" to accurately depict situations requiring sustained effort over an extended period, especially when the process is perceived as tedious or challenging. For example, "rehabilitating from a severe injury can be a long grind".

Common error

Avoid using "a long grind" repeatedly in close proximity within your writing. Vary your vocabulary by incorporating synonyms like "a tough slog" or "a lengthy ordeal" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a long grind" functions primarily as a noun phrase that describes a process or activity. It typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence, characterizing something as a lengthy and arduous undertaking. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Sports

13%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a long grind" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a lengthy and difficult process. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Sports contexts, it effectively conveys the idea of sustained effort over time, often with a sense of tedium. While versatile, it is advisable to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "a tough slog" for variety. Ludwig's examples showcase its application in describing challenges ranging from economic recovery to athletic training.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a grueling effort

Emphasizes the intense and exhausting nature of an attempt or exertion.

a tough slog

Conveys the difficulty and laboriousness of a task, often implying slow progress.

a protracted struggle

Highlights the extended and challenging nature of a conflict or effort.

a drawn-out process

Focuses on the extended duration of a procedure or development.

a marathon task

Compares a task to a marathon, highlighting its length and endurance requirements.

an arduous journey

Focuses on the difficulty and duration of a journey, be it literal or metaphorical.

a lengthy ordeal

Emphasizes the painful and drawn-out character of a difficult experience.

a taxing endeavor

Highlights the demanding and exhausting nature of an undertaking.

a wearisome task

Stresses the tiring and monotonous nature of a job or duty.

a sustained campaign

Highlights the prolonged and consistent nature of a planned activity.

FAQs

How can I use "a long grind" in a sentence?

You can use "a long grind" to describe a lengthy and difficult process. For example: "The road to recovery after the economic crisis has been a long grind."

What's a good alternative to "a long grind"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "an arduous journey", "a protracted struggle", or "a grueling effort".

What does it mean to describe something as "a long grind"?

Describing something as "a long grind" means it is a process that takes a significant amount of time and effort, and is often tedious or difficult.

Is "a long grind" formal or informal language?

While understandable in most contexts, "a long grind" leans towards informal. In formal or business settings, consider alternatives like "a drawn-out process" or "a sustained campaign".