plowing through

USAGE SUMMARY

"plowing through" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe advancing or progressing through something, usually with effort. For example: "He was determined to succeed, so he plowed through all the course material to make sure he was well prepared for the test."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I'd never heard of Beckett; I think I was plowing through "The Forsyte Saga" then.

The New Yorker

Mr. Pride said the financial markets were plowing through uncertain times.

The New York Times

Richardson gashed his way for 89 yards, plowing through hit after merciless hit.

The New York Times - Sports

I didn't feel like plowing through my closet or unpacking the groceries.

The New York Times

After plowing through all her second-grade "age appropriate" books, she moved on to Nora's library.

The New York Times

Scope out a defensive backfield and you may spot Owens plowing through it.

The New York Times

"He kept plowing through it," Mr. Kehoe said, referring to Mr. Markoff's schoolwork.

The New York Times

Gen. Maher Safieddine, plowing through the cases against the militiamen, issuing sentences overnight.

The New York Times

I've been plowing through stacks of them to make your life simpler.

The New York Times

I don't have the Senate ethics committee plowing through a file from the U.S. attorney's office".

The New York Times

Jake, 9, and Noah, 7, were plowing through tacos and chicken strips.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

"Plowing through" is particularly effective when describing the process of dealing with a large quantity of something, such as documents or data.

Common error

While "plowing through" is widely understood, it can sound informal or even clumsy in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "analyzing", "examining", or "addressing" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "plowing through" is that of a phrasal verb, acting as the present participle of the verb phrase 'plow through'. It indicates an ongoing action of forcefully moving forward, either physically or metaphorically. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plowing through" is a common phrasal verb used to describe making progress despite difficulties. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and primarily appears in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, it leans toward informal and may not always be appropriate for highly formal writing. For alternative expressions, consider "persevering through", "working through", or other contextually relevant options. It is important to note that while "plowing through" is mostly correct, a meticulous use is always suggested.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persevering through

Focuses on the sustained effort and determination involved.

battling through

Emphasizes the struggle and resistance faced.

struggling through

Highlights the difficulty and challenge involved.

pushing through

Suggests a forceful effort to overcome obstacles.

working through

Focuses on the process of resolving or completing something.

getting through

Emphasizes the completion or survival of a difficult experience.

navigating through

Implies careful maneuvering to avoid problems.

coping with

Focuses on managing or dealing with a challenging situation.

tackling

Suggests a direct and decisive approach to dealing with a problem.

grappling with

Implies a close and difficult struggle to understand or resolve something.

FAQs

How can I use "plowing through" in a sentence?

You can use "plowing through" to describe making progress despite difficulties, such as "She spent the weekend "plowing through" a mountain of paperwork" or "The team is "plowing through" the challenges to meet the deadline".

What are some alternatives to "plowing through"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "persevering through", "working through", or "tackling" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "plowing through" appropriate for formal writing?

While "plowing through" is widely understood, it may be too informal for some formal contexts. Consider alternatives like "analyzing" or "examining" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "plowing through" and "skimming through"?

"Plowing through" implies a thorough and effortful approach, while "skimming through" suggests a quick and superficial review. "Plowing through" is used when you need to deeply understand something, whereas "skimming through" is for getting a general overview.