What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
toil
Example
The farmers toiled in the fields all day. [toiled: verb]
Example
She toiled for years to become a successful writer. [toiled: past tense]
Example
He toiled against all odds to provide for his family. [toiled: verb]
grind
Example
I have to grind through this pile of paperwork before I can go home. [grind: verb]
Example
The athlete grinded through months of training to prepare for the competition. [grinded: past tense]
Example
She grinds every day at her job to make ends meet. [grinds: present tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Grind is more commonly used than toil in everyday language. Grind is often used to describe working hard with little reward or recognition, while toil is less common and may imply a more tangible outcome or benefit.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between toil and grind?
Both toil and grind are relatively informal words and can be used in casual conversation or writing.
