cranking away

USAGE SUMMARY

"cranking away" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe the sound of a machine or engine that is running, or to describe someone who is working hard at something. Example sentence: The generator was cranking away behind the scenes, ensuring a reliable source of electricity for the event.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

"Cranking away at rehab," Rahlves said Wednesday by text message.

The New York Times - Sports

In the back you can watch the doughnut machine cranking away.

The New York Times - Food

One offensive machine on every team, surrounded by guys named Eric and Raja, cranking away?

The New York Times - Sports

It's not just that she's slicing and dicing and cranking away at that pasta machine as she prepares the food.

The New York Times

"The Russell 2000 had been cranking away; it's been spectacular," he said, noting the recent dominance of small-cap stocks.

The New York Times

I'll have rock music cranking away on my portable speakers – anything from Led Zeppelin to Judas Priest.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

The one hive would crank away, while this one withered and disappeared.

The New York Times

Customers at the surrounding tables got up and began to gawk at Mr. Kallivrousis as he cranked away.

The New York Times

If you loaded spools of ribbon onto the side and then cranked away, the machine created perfectly symmetrical bows.

The New York Times - Tech

The keyboard connects wirelessly to the Internet and lets people crank away at their e-mail, instant messages and documents.

The New York Times - Tech

In 1998 the Cardinals had a mediocre record and McGwire was able to crank away, producing 70 homers while Sammy Sosa, whose Cubs struggled into the postseason, whacked 66.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cranking away" to vividly describe continuous, energetic effort, particularly when referring to machinery or someone working hard on a task.

Common error

Avoid using "cranking away" in formal writing or professional settings. While descriptive, it can sound too informal or colloquial for serious contexts. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "working diligently" or "operating continuously".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cranking away" functions as a phrasal verb, modifying a subject (person or thing) by describing an action performed with considerable effort or continuous operation. Ludwig examples show usage in both human and mechanical contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cranking away" is a commonly used phrasal verb that vividly describes continuous and energetic effort. Ludwig AI confirms it as a correct and usable phrase in written English. While suitable for general and news contexts, it should be avoided in more formal or academic writing, where alternatives like "working diligently" or "operating continuously" are more appropriate. Its strength lies in its ability to convey a sense of persistent and productive activity, whether referring to a person or a machine. With a source quality score of 86, its frequent usage in reputable sources like The New York Times, TechCrunch, and Forbes indicates its acceptance in mainstream communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plugging away

Similar in tone to "cranking away" but slightly less energetic and more persistent.

working diligently

Replaces the informal "cranking" with a more formal term for dedicated work.

hammering away

Conveys a sense of forceful and repeated action, suitable for tasks involving direct effort.

toiling tirelessly

Emphasizes the relentless and exhaustive nature of the work being done.

laboring intensely

Highlights the intensity and effort involved in the activity.

grinding away

Implies a monotonous and potentially unpleasant but necessary work.

operating continuously

Describes machinery or systems running without interruption.

churning out

Focuses on the production aspect, highlighting a high volume of output.

running smoothly

Implies efficient and uninterrupted functioning, often used for processes or systems.

producing rapidly

Highlights speed and volume of production.

FAQs

How can I use "cranking away" in a sentence?

You can use "cranking away" to describe someone working hard or a machine running continuously. For example, "The team was cranking away to meet the deadline."

What's a more formal alternative to "cranking away"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "working diligently", "operating continuously", or "laboring intensely".

Is "cranking away" appropriate for academic writing?

Generally, no. "Cranking away" is considered informal. Use more appropriate terms for academic contexts, like "conducting research" or "performing analysis".

What does it mean when something is "cranking away"?

It typically means something is working hard, operating continuously, or producing a lot. The phrase often implies energy and persistence.