What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
grind
Example
I need to grind the coffee beans before I can make my morning cup. [grind: verb]
Example
The gears in the machine grind against each other, creating a lot of noise. [grind: verb]
Example
I had to grind through the difficult math problems to pass the exam. [grind: verb]
crush
Example
She accidentally crushed the flower when she sat on it. [crushed: past tense]
Example
He had a crush on his coworker and couldn't stop thinking about her. [crush: noun]
Example
The opposing team was crushed by our superior skills and strategy. [crushed: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Grind is more commonly used than crush in everyday language, especially in technical or mechanical contexts. Crush is more informal and is often used to describe personal or emotional experiences.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between grind and crush?
Grind is generally considered more formal than crush, which is often used in casual or slang contexts.
