may grind to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may grind to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something might come to a halt or slow down significantly, often in the context of processes or activities. Example: "If the negotiations continue to stall, the entire project may grind to a halt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Washington may grind to a halt.

Independent

Even DBIS may grind to a halt at this point.

The Guardian - Tech

Such a car may grind to a halt, but would probably not overturn.

The Economist

Budgetary shortfalls, along with the defendants' advanced age and poor health, have raised concerns that the tribunal's trial may grind to a halt.

The New York Times

Bangladesh's thriving textile industry has given the nation's economy a jolt, but analysts warn that if the capital cannot solve its traffic and infrastructure problem, such gains will prove fleeting — that progress itself may grind to a standstill.

The New York Times - Travel

Indeed, the process of change is so rapid that some of the subject's potentates are afraid that progress may grind to a halt unless a huge injection of numeracy takes place pretty soon.The mightiest of those potentates inhabit America's National Institutes of Health (NIH the body responsible for disbursing the lion's share of federal money available for biomedical research.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

As for the events in Libya, they too are the subject of Iran's approval because the train of change may ground to a halt there and thus spare Iran and its allies from change and from international pressures, which have so far not reached the Islamic Republic.

Huffington Post

Latin America's fourth-largest economy may also grind to a halt on Tuesday, as dissident business leaders have promised, in protest against what they see as Mr. Chávez's autocratic style of governing and his treatment of oil company managers.

The New York Times

If Mr Noda's government is forced to call a general election on the issue, as the opposition is demanding, progress in the north-east may once again grind to a halt.The fire last timeAs acute as these criticisms are, they pale beside the damage that the nuclear crisis has done to people's faith in authority.

The Economist

In the Senate ONE PERSON may grind all gears to a halt, Leaving the U.S. crumbling, on the verge of default.

Huffington Post

Dr. Wilkins's fear of "forces that may grind all of us to pieces" was not misplaced: Dr. Bragg told Crick to get back to his thesis work and stop building models of DNA.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may grind to" when describing a gradual process of slowing down and potentially stopping. It's particularly effective when implying resistance or difficulty in maintaining momentum.

Common error

Avoid using "may grind to" when a complete and immediate stop is intended. Phrases like "halt immediately" or "come to a complete stop" are more appropriate for conveying sudden cessation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may grind to" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a possibility or likelihood of a gradual cessation or slowing down of an activity or process. As Ludwig shows, this phrase is employed to suggest that an event or operation has the potential to come to a standstill.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may grind to" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to express the possibility of a gradual slowdown leading to a potential halt. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is most frequently used in News & Media contexts to suggest a negative outcome, such as stalled progress or economic stagnation. While "may grind to" is considered correct, it's important to consider alternatives like "might come to a standstill" or "could slow to a crawl" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might come to a standstill

Emphasizes a complete halt, similar to "grind to" but with a focus on inactivity.

could slow to a crawl

Focuses on a significant reduction in speed, highlighting gradual deceleration.

might be brought to a halt

Highlights the possibility of an external force causing the cessation.

may be reduced to inaction

Focuses on the resulting state of inactivity or lack of progress.

could stagnate entirely

Emphasizes a lack of movement or progress, suggesting a negative outcome.

might cease functioning

Focuses specifically on the cessation of operational activity.

may halt abruptly

Highlights a sudden stop, implying a quicker cessation than "grind to".

could become completely inactive

Emphasizes a total lack of activity, similar to a standstill.

might be forced to stop

Suggests an external factor is compelling the cessation.

may reach an impasse

Focuses on the idea of reaching a point where no further progress is possible.

FAQs

How can I use "may grind to" in a sentence?

You can use "may grind to" to describe a process that is slowing down and potentially stopping, such as "If funding is not secured, the research project may grind to a halt".

What are some alternatives to "may grind to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "might come to a standstill", "could slow to a crawl", or "might be brought to a halt", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "might grind to" instead of "may grind to"?

Yes, "might grind to" is also correct and expresses a similar level of possibility. The choice between "may" and "might" often depends on personal preference or the specific context.

What is the difference between "may grind to a halt" and "may slow down"?

"May slow down" indicates a reduction in speed or progress, whereas "may grind to a halt" suggests a more significant deceleration, potentially leading to a complete stop. The latter implies a higher degree of cessation.