to grind through

USAGE SUMMARY

"to grind through" is an idiomatic expression that is perfectly acceptable in written English.
Generally, it is used to describe performing a tedious and laborious task. For example: "We had to grind through hours of mind-numbing data entry before we could find the answer we were looking for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

I'm trying to grind through it.

The New York Times - Sports

"Just try to grind through it," Sabathia said he told himself.

The New York Times - Sports

Congressional committees continue to grind through the evidence and excise all mention of the CIA.

The Guardian

Yet Mitre, 28, quickly remembered how to grind through a start.

The New York Times - Sports

In what would be his penultimate Open, Agassi was able to grind through Ginepri's defenses in five sets.

The New York Times

"But we didn't have to grind through 82 games like perhaps some of the other franchises did".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Since only one LED will be on at a time, we can tie all 16 LED cathodes together and connect them to ground through a single 330Ω resistor.

Cornell University

The year I spent visiting Lincoln was my first deliberate attempt to ground through formal practice.

Huffington Post

But this rush is short lived – within just a handful of stages, Fire & Ice is proving to be a chore to get through, with the traditionally fleet-footed Sonic reduced to grinding through environments ill-designed for maintaining speed.

Vice

"If you want to last a long time, you have to figure out how to mentally grind through things and how to get through situations," Manager Joe Girardi said.

The New York Times

Research has long established that we humans have limits in handling heavy workloads, which restrict our ability to always grind through.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you use the expression, be sure to complete with a detail/reason for its context, otherwise the writing could result vague and meaningless, for example: "I had to grind through but hopefully I can get more games there".

Common error

While "to grind through" is widely accepted, avoid overusing it in very informal settings. Simpler language might be more appropriate for casual conversations or light-hearted writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to grind through" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the action of laboriously working through a difficult or tedious task. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. Its versatility is evident through numerous examples, spanning various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Sports

24%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

9%

Wiki

7%

Science

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to grind through" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe the act of persevering through a difficult or tedious task, a fact that Ludwig AI confirms through its analysis. Its usage spans across various contexts, from News & Media to Sports and Business, indicating its widespread acceptance. While grammatically correct, it's essential to use it judiciously, particularly in very informal settings where simpler language might be more appropriate. Related phrases like "to persevere through" or "to push through" can offer subtle differences in emphasis. Overall, mastering the use of "to grind through" can enhance your ability to convey the effort and resilience required to overcome challenges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to persevere through

Focuses more on the sustained effort despite difficulties, emphasizing resilience.

to push through

Emphasizes the act of overcoming resistance and moving forward with determination.

to slog through

Highlights the arduous and often unpleasant nature of the task.

to work through

Implies a methodical and step-by-step approach to resolving a problem or completing a task.

to hammer away at

Suggests continuous and repetitive effort, often against strong opposition.

to battle through

Conveys a sense of struggle and conflict in achieving a goal.

to grapple with

Focuses on the act of struggling to understand or overcome a complex issue.

to contend with

Emphasizes dealing with difficulties or challenges in a competitive or resistant environment.

to muddle through

Suggests a lack of skill or planning, but eventual success despite the odds.

to plug away at

Implies steady and persistent work over a long period, often without dramatic results.

FAQs

What does "to grind through" mean?

The phrase "to grind through" generally means to proceed or advance with difficulty, effort, or persistence, often implying a tedious or laborious process. It suggests overcoming obstacles through sheer determination.

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

You can use "to grind through" to describe working through a challenging task, like: "Despite the setbacks, the team had "to grind through" the project to meet the deadline." This highlights their effort in overcoming difficulties.

What are some alternatives to "to grind through"?

Some alternatives include "to persevere through", "to push through", or "to work through". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "to grind through"?

While generally acceptable, overuse of "to grind through" in very informal contexts might sound unnatural. Consider using simpler alternatives if the situation doesn't require emphasis on the difficulty or effort involved.