‘Grinded' or 'Ground': What's the Difference?

Wondering whether to use ‘grinded’ or ‘ground’? And what the actual difference is between these two words? We’ll clear that up in this article, plus teach you how to use the correct word in a sentence.

In short, ‘ground’ is the past tense of ‘grind,’ and it means the surface or soil of a planet, such as Earth.

But it also refers to a specific area (i.e. Fair Grounds).

‘Grinded’ is a newer past tense form of the word ‘grind.’ And it means ‘to work repetitively’ (e.g, in a video game).

Which is Correct? ‘Grinded’ or ‘Ground’?

Well, as you know, languages evolve over time. And while the only past tense of ‘grind’ was ‘ground,’ things are changing.

However, the words don’t mean the same thing. While they’re both technically the past tense of ‘grind,’ the first definition of the word means to break up into small particles.

Therefore, you shouldn’t use them interchangeably, even though they sound like they could be.

‘Grinded’ or ‘Ground’ – Which is Correct?

As stated above, it depends on the context to determine which word is correct.

They’re both acceptable words to use in the English language, but you wouldn’t use them interchangeably.

So, technically, they’re both correct

Definition and Meaning of ‘Grinded’

Now that you know the difference between the words, let’s take a look at what they both mean on a deeper level.

According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of ‘grind’ is to mash something into powder or small pieces using friction. It could also mean wearing down, polishing, or sharpening using friction.

Some people use it to mean to oppress, harass, weaken, or destroy.

Definition and Meaning of ‘Ground’ 

The word ‘ground’ has a much different meaning. According to Merriam-Webster, it could refer to the surface of a planet, such as Earth. It might be called soil or earth.

It could also mean an area used for a particular purpose (like the Fair Grounds).

Grounds also refer to coffee after it’s been ‘ground’ up (i.e., coffee grounds).

Something could be ‘grounds’ for an argument, action, or belief (i.e., someone left the toilet seat up).

Sometimes parents can also ‘ground’ their children, meaning they can’t go anywhere. They’re essentially on ‘punishment.’

Pronunciation: How to Pronounce ‘Grinded’ and ‘Ground’

Are you wondering how to pronounce the words? Here’s a short guide.

• To pronounce ‘grinded,’ sound it out in the following way: grYNdEHd.
• To pronounce ‘ground,’ look at the phonetic spelling: grOUnd.

How to Use ‘Grinded’ in a Sentence 

Now let’s look at how to use ‘grinded’ in a sentence.

• I grinded hard in Super Smash Bros. to beat my older brother’s score.
• I cannot understand how you guys grinded for two days and didn’t make any progress in this game.
• Gamers will tell you they grinded hard to get to their ranking.
• Don’t make me lose. I grinded my butt off to win all those tournaments.
• We grinded for days to make our Minecraft world.

How to Use ‘Ground’ in a Sentence

Now, let’s see how to use ‘ground’ in a sentence.

• My sister always jumps off the swing and onto the ground.
• My mom ground up some ingredients and added them to our salad.
• We stayed low to the ground so no one would find us before the game was over.
• Would you please get up off the ground? You’re getting your clothes dirty.
• I’m going to have to ground you. Your grades have dropped since last semester.
• My six-year-old daughter loves to lie on the ground and roll around in the leaves.

Final Thoughts on ‘Grinded’ and ‘Ground’

Now that you know what the words mean, how to pronounce them, and how to use them in a sentence, you should be able to use the above examples as a guide when writing your own.

We’ve got a whole library of content dedicated to explaining confusing words and phrases in the English language. Go check it out whenever you need to.