What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
grate
Example
I need to grate some cheese for the pizza. [grate: verb]
Example
The metal grate made a loud noise as I walked over it. [grate: noun]
Example
Her constant complaining began to grate on my nerves. [grate: verb]
shred
Example
I need to shred some lettuce for the salad. [shred: verb]
Example
The document was torn into shreds and thrown away. [shreds: noun]
Example
He decided to shred all of his old paperwork to make room for new files. [shred: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shred is more commonly used than grate in everyday language. Shred is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while grate is less common and often used specifically in cooking or to describe an irritating situation.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between grate and shred?
Both grate and shred are relatively informal words, but grate may be slightly more formal due to its association with cooking and food preparation.
