What are the definitions of “grind up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Reduce to small pieces.
She GROUND the beans UP and made some coffee.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “grind up”?
The phrasal verb grind up means to reduce something to small pieces through grinding or crushing.
What are the different verb forms of “grind up”?
| Root Verb | grind up |
| Third Person Singular Present | grinds up |
| Present Participle | grinding up |
| Simple Past | ground up |
| Past Participle | ground up |
Example
They always grind up fresh herbs for cooking.
Example
He grinds up the spices for his signature dish.
Example
She's currently grinding up the nuts for the dessert.
Example
Yesterday, they ground up the dried chili peppers.
Example
The coffee beans were ground up into a fine powder.
What kind of phrasal verb is “grind up”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“grind up” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She ground up the leftover bread to make breadcrumbs.
Example
He uses a mortar and pestle to grind up the herbs.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“grind up” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She ground up the leftover bread to make breadcrumbs.
Example
He uses a mortar and pestle to grind up the herbs.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “grind up”?
Good things to know
Does “grind up” have an informal or formal tone?
The phrasal verb grind up is commonly used in everyday conversations, particularly in the context of cooking, baking, and preparing ingredients. While it may have specific technical applications, it is generally informal and suitable for both casual and more relaxed settings.
