trudging through

USAGE SUMMARY

"trudging through" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe moving with difficulty or effort, often in a weary or laborious manner. Example: "She was trudging through the deep snow, exhausted but determined." Alternative expressions include "plodding through," "wading through," and "struggling through."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I was definitely trudging through and digging around dark parts of my psyche," he said.

The New York Times

Imagine Hannibal and his elephants trudging through the snow as you down another chocolate truffle.

The New York Times - Travel

| Jonathan Jones "Our days were long, often trudging through swamp and rivers," said McPhee.

The Guardian

Why does reading this paragraph feel like trudging through deep mud?

The New York Times

After trudging through high water in their neighborhood, they took temporary shelter at Delgado Community College.

The New Yorker

Check the tides, and wear rubber boots; trudging through the muddy wetlands is necessary.

The New Yorker

Two men in overalls, evidently trainmen of some kind, were trudging through the Penn Station arcade.

The New Yorker

The endurance athletes among them say trudging through snow offers a superior aerobic workout.

The New York Times - Sports

Residents in the Nantou town center were seen trudging through the mud to retrieve their belongings.

The New York Times

Or the jawbone I tread on while trudging through the main campsite.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"You won't be happy trudging through snow up to your knees".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "trudging through" with specific details about the environment or the emotional state of the subject to enhance the impact of your description. For example: "trudging through the dense forest with a heavy heart".

Common error

Avoid using "trudging through" excessively in passive voice, which can weaken the sentence. Instead of "The task was trudged through by the team", try "The team trudged through the task" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "trudging through" is to act as a prepositional phrase, often functioning as an adverbial modifier to describe the manner in which someone or something is moving. It illustrates a labored or difficult progression. Ludwig AI confirms this usage in multiple examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trudging through" is a frequently used prepositional phrase that effectively conveys the sense of difficult or laborious movement, both physically and metaphorically. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and acceptability in written English. It is commonly found in News & Media sources and maintains a generally neutral register, making it suitable for various writing contexts. When using this phrase, consider the emotional and environmental context to enhance its impact. While grammatically correct and widely used, be cautious of overuse in passive constructions to maintain sentence strength.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plodding through

Emphasizes a slow, heavy, and laborious walk, often due to exhaustion or difficult terrain.

slogging through

Highlights the arduous and relentless nature of the movement, often in wet or muddy conditions.

wading through

Specifically implies moving through water or something that obstructs movement like water.

struggling through

Focuses on the effort and difficulty involved in overcoming obstacles during the movement.

laboring through

Emphasizes the strenuous effort and hard work required to progress.

stumbling through

Suggests an unsteady and awkward movement, often due to obstacles or lack of coordination.

forging through

Implies a determined and forceful movement, often against resistance or opposition.

grinding through

Highlights the slow, relentless, and often unpleasant nature of the progress.

pushing through

Focuses on overcoming resistance or obstacles with sustained effort and determination.

navigating through

Implies carefully and deliberately moving through a complex or challenging environment.

FAQs

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

You can use "trudging through" to describe physical movement with difficulty, as in "We were trudging through the snow", or to describe a difficult experience, as in "She was trudging through a difficult time in her life".

What can I say instead of "trudging through"?

You can use alternatives like "plodding through", "slogging through", or "struggling through" depending on the context.

Is "trudging through" appropriate for formal writing?

While "trudging through" is widely understood and grammatically correct, it can be considered informal due to its descriptive and somewhat figurative nature. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "persevering through" or "navigating" if a more neutral tone is desired.

What is the difference between "trudging through" and "walking through"?

"Trudging through" implies difficulty or resistance, such as "trudging through mud", while "walking through" simply describes movement, such as "walking through a park". The former suggests effort and possible discomfort, whereas the latter is neutral.