till this ground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "till this ground" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in a poetic or metaphorical context, but clarity may be lost without additional context. Example: "We will stand firm till this ground is no longer ours."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Hollywood has repeatedly tried to till this ground, without success.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr. Blade and the pianist Jon Cowherd, who deserves credit as the band's secondary leader, have been tilling this ground for more than a decade.

The New York Times

Mr. Warner said: "Both the candidates might actually realize it's in their self-interest to till some of this ground.

The New York Times

In Thomas Mallon's masterly critique of Nassir Ghaemi's book on bipolar disorder and political leadership, "A First-Rate Madness" (Aug. 21), I would have liked to see some acknowledgment that this ground has been better tilled in previous books.

The New York Times - Books

They created beds by tilling the ground to make it soft before covering it with leaves.

The New York Times - Sports

Manhood would have to be demonstrated in other ways, by tilling the ground, raising a family, running a general store.

The New York Times

"This passage" -- about the killing of the shepherd Abel by Cain, who tilled the ground -- "is a metaphorical reference to the move from a herding to an agricultural economy," he said, somewhat impatiently.

The New York Times

Even as the fighting continues, opium farmers are returning to their fields, tilling the ground for what had been their most reliable cash crop.

The New York Times

They used shells as scoops for gouging out fired logs when building canoes and they drilled holes in them and fitted wooden handles for tilling the ground.

Wikipedia

Other denominations that have become a part of the Black Church moment which includes Baptist, C.O.G.I.C, Pentecostal and Presbyterian have tilled the ground to help slaves escape to freedom, raise children and develop communities that would directly empower and embrace what it is to be an African-American as well as to receive the benefits and principles that the United States of America offers.

Huffington Post

Just insert the ring in the ground around the tree marking the edge where you have tilled the ground, denoting the perimeter of your flower bed.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "till this ground", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to physical land or a metaphorical area of exploration or development. Without sufficient context, the phrase can be confusing.

Common error

Avoid using "till this ground" in formal or technical writing where clarity and precision are paramount. Opt for more direct and commonly understood alternatives, such as "develop this area" or "explore this topic" to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "till this ground" primarily functions as a metaphorical expression. It draws on agricultural imagery to suggest the act of preparing or cultivating something, be it a physical space, an idea, or a project. Ludwig's analysis points out the non-standard nature of the expression and the potential for ambiguity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "till this ground" is a metaphorical expression that evokes the idea of preparing or cultivating something, akin to a farmer preparing land. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is not standard and may cause confusion without sufficient context. Its grammatical status is considered incorrect due to its uncommon usage, and it appears infrequently across various sources. When considering source quality, news and media outlets are most frequent. For clarity, alternatives like "cultivate this area" or "develop this topic" are often preferred, particularly in formal or technical writing. Therefore, while "till this ground" can add a touch of imagery, prioritize clarity and directness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cultivate this area

Emphasizes developing or improving a specific region or subject.

develop this topic

Focuses on elaborating and expanding upon a particular theme or subject.

explore this issue

Highlights investigating or examining a matter in detail.

plow this field

Uses a more literal farming term to suggest preparing something for a new beginning.

work on this project

Suggests active engagement and effort toward achieving a specific goal.

address this matter

Implies directly dealing with a problem or situation.

up to this point

Focuses on a temporal boundary, indicating a limit in time.

until this moment

Emphasizes a change or realization happening right now.

farm this land

Uses the concept of agriculture and land cultivation to express a similar idea.

until this location

Emphasizes a geographical or spatial limit.

FAQs

What does "till this ground" mean?

The phrase "till this ground" metaphorically suggests preparing or cultivating something, similar to how a farmer prepares land for planting. It can refer to exploring a new topic or developing an idea. However, its usage is not standard and can be confusing.

Are there clearer alternatives to "till this ground"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "cultivate this area", "develop this topic", or "explore this issue" for better clarity.

Is "till this ground" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "till this ground" is not a commonly used or widely recognized phrase in standard English. It is more metaphorical and can lack clarity in many contexts, as Ludwig AI suggests.

In what contexts is "till this ground" most appropriate?

The phrase "till this ground" might be suitable in creative writing or informal settings where a metaphorical expression is acceptable. However, in formal or technical writing, clearer and more direct alternatives are preferred to avoid ambiguity. It's important to ensure the context makes the intended meaning clear.