ground away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ground away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the process of removing material from a surface, typically through grinding or abrasion. Example: "The technician carefully ground away the rough edges of the metal to ensure a smooth finish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Worm until you've ground the ground away.

Vice

An extractor fan ground away in the background.

The New York Times - Travel

As Assad's army ground away at Aleppo, ISIS recaptured Palmyra.

The New Yorker

It shows we now need to make up the ground away from home.

Independent

"There was a small baby on the ground, away from her mother.

The New Yorker

Both will be desperate not to give too much ground away now.

The Guardian - Sport

That war, against the same regime in Khartoum, ground away, on and off, for the best part of 50 years.

The Economist

Both probably fired at the teenager as he was crawling on the ground away from the soldiers.

The Guardian

Some fled to higher ground away from the coastline; many more camped outdoors in the streets and parks.

The New York Times

Presented with the chance to question Mr. Hendershot, the defense had shifted the ground away from the Libyans.

The New York Times

I miss when I could drop down on all fours and flick the ground away from under me.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ground away", consider the context and ensure it accurately conveys the sense of gradual removal or erosion. It's often best used when describing physical processes or persistent efforts that slowly diminish something.

Common error

Avoid using "ground away" in contexts where a sudden or abrupt removal is implied. It's more suitable for describing gradual processes rather than instantaneous actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "ground away" functions primarily as a descriptive verb, indicating a process of gradual removal or erosion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correctly used to illustrate the wearing down of a substance over time through persistent action. The examples show its use in both physical and abstract contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

18%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "ground away" effectively describes a gradual process of erosion or removal. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical structure is correct. It is most commonly found in news and media sources, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When writing, use it to describe situations where something is slowly and steadily diminished over time through persistent action. Consider alternatives like "eroded gradually" or "wore down steadily" for nuanced variations. Avoid using "ground away" when describing sudden or abrupt removals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eroded gradually

Emphasizes the slow and progressive nature of wearing something down.

wore down steadily

Highlights the continuous and persistent action of wearing something away.

persistently eroded

Emphasizes the ongoing and unrelenting nature of the erosion process.

gradually diminished

Focuses on the progressive reduction in size, strength, or importance.

steadily wore through

Implies a consistent and determined action that eventually breaks something down.

slowly disintegrated

Suggests a gradual decay or breaking apart over time.

continually abraded

Focuses on the repeated rubbing or wearing away of a surface.

incrementally reduced

Stresses the small steps in reducing something over a period of time.

bit by bit removed

Highlights that the removal is slow and steady over time.

continually chipped away

Focuses on the small fragments that are continually removed until something is used up.

FAQs

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

The phrase "ground away" describes a gradual process of erosion or wearing down. For example, "The constant friction ground away the metal over time".

What does "ground away" mean?

The phrase "ground away" means to gradually wear down or remove something by friction or abrasion. It suggests a slow, persistent process of erosion.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "ground away"?

You can use alternatives such as "eroded gradually", "wore down steadily", or "gradually diminished" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "ground away" instead of "eroded"?

"Eroded" is a more general term for wearing away, while "ground away" specifically implies a mechanical or abrasive action. Use "ground away" when describing something being worn down by rubbing or grinding.