grinding away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grinding away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of working hard or persistently on a task, often implying a sense of effort or toil. Example: "After hours of grinding away at the project, she finally made significant progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

The machine of extinction is grinding away.

The New York Times - Science

Goliath is grinding away, and it never stops.

The New York Times

In your mind, you just keep grinding away.

The New York Times - Sports

"We're grinding away for a lot of reasons".

The New York Times - Sports

But starting a business means grinding away for ten years".

The New Yorker

Too often the orchestra just kept grinding away too loudly.

The New York Times - Arts

Long-awaited war crimes tribunals are grinding away.

The New York Times

Regulation jukebox keeps grinding away in back of the store.

The New Yorker

Instead, I overshot, and sat there with bulging cheeks, grinding away at the greenery.

The New Yorker

The kids are entitled to a summer off without grinding away at books.

The New Yorker

But that fillip is now gone and the severe recession is grinding away at Labour's standing.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: while "grinding away" suggests hard work, it can also imply a lack of enjoyment or progress. Be mindful of the tone you wish to convey.

Common error

While "grinding away" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overuse in formal writing where a more sophisticated term like 'persevering' or 'diligently working' might be more appropriate. "The team persevered through the challenges" sounds more professional than "The team kept grinding away."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grinding away" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, describing a continuous action. As Ludwig confirms, it often modifies a verb, adding detail about the manner in which the action is performed. It suggests persistent and often laborious effort.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "grinding away" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe persistent and often laborious effort. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is acceptable in written English and commonly found in news and media sources. While versatile, "grinding away" may be too informal for certain formal contexts. Alternative phrases, such as "toiling relentlessly" or "persevering steadily", can offer a more refined tone. Overall, "grinding away" effectively conveys the idea of sustained effort and commitment to a task, even when progress is slow or challenging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

toiling relentlessly

Focuses on the tireless and persistent nature of the effort, similar to "grinding away" but with more emphasis on labor.

plugging persistently

Emphasizes continued effort despite obstacles, akin to "grinding away" but suggesting more focus.

chipping away

Implies gradual progress, like "grinding away", but emphasizes the reduction of something over time.

laboring continuously

Highlights constant work, similar to "grinding away" but with a focus on physical or mental exertion.

persevering steadily

Stresses unwavering determination and consistent advancement, much like "grinding away" but with a positive connotation.

working tirelessly

Highlights the relentless effort without rest, comparable to "grinding away" but emphasizing the lack of fatigue.

eroding gradually

Refers to slow and steady decline, sharing the 'gradual' aspect of "grinding away" but focusing on deterioration.

inching forward

Implies small, incremental progress, like "grinding away", but emphasizes the minimal distance covered.

wearing down

Focuses on the gradual reduction or weakening of something, sharing the 'gradual' and 'persistent' nature of "grinding away".

hammering away

Suggests repeated effort, similar to “grinding away” but implying more forceful and direct action.

FAQs

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

"Grinding away" describes persistent and often laborious effort. For instance, "The team is "grinding away" at the project to meet the deadline."

What are some alternatives to "grinding away"?

Depending on the context, you could use "toiling relentlessly", "plugging persistently", or "persevering steadily".

Is "grinding away" suitable for formal writing?

While understandable, "grinding away" might be too informal for academic or business contexts. Consider more formal alternatives like "diligently working" or "persevering through."

What does it mean when someone says they are "grinding away"?

It means they are working hard and continuously, often on a task that is difficult or tedious. It suggests a determined effort to make progress despite challenges.