can be ground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be ground" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of grinding something, typically in the context of food or materials. Example: "The coffee beans can be ground to a fine powder for brewing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Once it hardens it can be ground or polished.

The New York Times

The bone and tooth material can be ground into a fine ash, as with traditional cremains.

The New York Times

Porcelain can be ground down and reused in the production of tiles, construction materials and bathroom fixtures.

The New York Times

Italian groceries stock the best brands, which can be ground coarse, medium or fine, all of which have the potential to be delicious.

The New York Times - Food

Some nonmelting and insoluble polymers can be ground to a finely divided powder, mixed into a solution of another polymer, and solution-spun to fibres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Corn can be ground into tortillas, an unleavened "bread," parched, or prepared with wood ashes or shells to make a hominy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

No benefits, no job security, back to work, which can be grinding physical labor, weeks or even days after childbirth.

The New Yorker

The local government encourages their efforts as a way to lift them and their families out of what can be grinding poverty.

The New Yorker

Building a business from scratch can be grinding work.

Huffington Post

The job also reminds me that crap rolls downhill, aimed at people with jobs that can be grinding and thankless.

Huffington Post

Like many JRPGs, progress can be grind-heavy – meaning spending time levelling up characters before the team is powerful enough to tackle the next dungeon.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being ground and for what purpose. For example, instead of just saying "it can be ground", specify "the coffee beans can be ground for brewing".

Common error

Avoid using "can be ground" without specifying the subject or purpose. For example, saying "the material can be ground" lacks context. Be specific: "the material can be ground into a fine powder for use in cosmetics."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be ground" functions as a passive construction indicating the potential for a substance or material to undergo a grinding process. As noted by Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

19%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can be ground" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that describes the potential for a substance to be reduced to smaller particles. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and applicable in various contexts. Its prevalence spans from news and media to scientific and encyclopedic sources. When using "can be ground", it's important to provide context specifying what is being ground and the intended purpose. While synonyms like "can be milled" or "can be pulverized" exist, they carry nuances that may be more appropriate depending on the specific context. Be mindful of vagueness and ensure clarity by specifying the subject and desired outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be milled

Replaces "ground" with "milled", emphasizing a specific type of grinding often used for grains.

can be pulverized

Substitutes "ground" with "pulverized", suggesting a more forceful and complete reduction to powder.

can be crushed

Uses "crushed" instead of "ground", focusing on breaking something down by force.

can be powdered

Replaces "ground" with "powdered", highlighting the end result of the grinding process as a powder.

can be comminuted

Offers a more technical term, "comminuted", for reducing particle size.

can be refined

Uses "refined" instead of "ground", referring to a process of purification.

can be granulated

Substitutes "ground" with "granulated", implying the creation of small grains.

can be triturated

Replaces "ground" with "triturated", often used in a pharmaceutical or chemical context.

can be reduced to powder

Specifies the result as "powder", making it a more descriptive alternative.

can undergo grinding

This alternative focuses on the grinding action itself.

FAQs

What does "can be ground" mean?

The phrase "can be ground" refers to the ability of a substance or material to be reduced to smaller particles or a powder through a grinding process. For example, spices or grains "can be ground" into a powder.

How to use "can be ground" in a sentence?

Use "can be ground" to describe the potential for something to be processed into a finer form. Example: "The sun-dried turmeric roots "can be ground" into a powdered consistency".

What can I say instead of "can be ground"?

You can use alternatives like "can be milled", "can be pulverized", or "can be crushed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "can be ground" or "can be grinding"?

"Can be ground" is the passive form, indicating something is acted upon. "Can be grinding" is a continuous active form and is less common. Therefore, ""can be ground"" is typically the correct choice for describing a substance's ability to be processed.