grind

USAGE SUMMARY

"grind" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb to describe the act of working diligently or of grinding something down, usually with the help of a machine. Example sentence: The coffee beans went through the grinder and soon the aroma filled the room.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Travel

Opinion

Music

Business

Film

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Midway through construction, however, financial problems caused the project to grind to a halt.

The Guardian - Music

How did the daily grind of stories on a 24-hour news channel become such a threat to an all-powerful military-backed government?

The Guardian

Greece has vowed to honour heavy debt repayments over the coming weeks but says it is counting on international creditors to release billions of euros in rescue funds before the end of the month as crisis talks between the two sides grind on.

The Guardian - Business

Trickle over a little oil, to give the salad a glossy look, and grind on lots of pepper.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Coarsely grind or chop the walnuts so you have a chunky rubble, then stir in the ground almonds and slivered pistachios, followed by the zest, salt (if using), cardamom and 5tbsp of melted butter.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But on a wretched evening the champions lifted a cloud after two defeats to grind out a win that puts them within four points of the leaders, Harlequins.

The Guardian - Sport

Fearing the country would grind to a halt, she prepared to declare a national state of emergency and use troops to transport coal.

The Guardian

While that does its thing, make your spinners … Mix the flour, salt and thyme leaves in a bowl with a good grind of pepper.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's a Georgian watermill that used to grind corn for the local estate - the original grinder is still in the dining room.

The Guardian - Travel

Meanwhile, there were strategic mis-steps such as the failure to come up with a meaningful answer to the Twenty20 question and the maintenance for commercial and structural reasons of the endless grind of the year-round cricket calendar that inevitably contributed to the hothouse atmosphere and personality clashes from which you can draw a dotted line to farce.

The Guardian - Sport

Use Sichuan flower pepper in stews and stir-fries, or dry-roast in a wok and then grind to a fine powder to use as a sprinkle or a magic ingredient in sauces and dressings.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid ambiguity, ensure the context clarifies whether "grind" is used as a verb (the act of grinding) or a noun (a tedious task).

Common error

While "grind" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid using it excessively in formal writing. Opt for more neutral terms like "work", "effort", or "process" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "grind" functions primarily as a verb or a noun. As a verb, it describes the act of crushing or wearing something down. As a noun, it often refers to a monotonous task or the degree to which something has been ground. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Lifestyle

15%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Travel

8%

Opinion

7%

Music

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "grind" is a versatile term with meanings ranging from the physical act of crushing to the metaphorical representation of tedious work. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. As a noun, "grind" frequently appears in the context of "the daily grind", expressing the monotony of routine tasks. As a verb, it describes the action of reducing something to smaller particles. Its frequency across news, lifestyle, and sports media highlights its common usage. When using "grind", be mindful of its potential negative connotations, especially in formal contexts. Consider alternatives like "work" or "effort" in professional settings to avoid conveying unwanted negativity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pulverize

Focuses on the action of reducing something to fine particles, similar to one sense of "grind".

crush

Emphasizes the application of force to break something down, like the physical act of "grind".

labor

Highlights the effort and exertion involved in repetitive or difficult work, akin to the tedious sense of "grind".

toil

Implies long, arduous work, similar to the negative connotation of a daily "grind".

drudge

Suggests tedious and menial work, capturing the unappealing aspect of a "grind".

polish

Focuses on smoothing or refining a surface, as one sense of "grind" means to shape with friction.

oppress

Highlights the act of holding someone down or weakening them, which is one meaning of "grind".

weary

Expresses the feeling of exhaustion and strain often associated with a monotonous "grind".

erode

Implies gradual wearing away, akin to the effect of a "grind" over time.

exert

Stresses the application of effort, relevant to the laborious aspect of a "grind".

FAQs

How can I use "grind" in a sentence?

You can use "grind" as a verb, like "to grind coffee beans", or as a noun, such as "the daily grind". Context determines the appropriate usage.

What's a good alternative to "the daily grind"?

Consider using phrases like "routine", "workload", or "daily tasks" for a less negative connotation.

Is it correct to say 'grinding away'?

Yes, "grinding away" is a common idiom that means working persistently and often laboriously at a task.

When is it appropriate to use "grind" in a professional setting?

Use "grind" cautiously in professional settings. It's best suited for informal communication or when you specifically want to emphasize the challenging or monotonous nature of work. Alternatives like "endeavor" or "pursuit" may be more appropriate.