grate

/ɡreɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ɡreɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈgrāt/ (ame, mw)

grate — verb

  • gratepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • grates3rd person singular
  • grating-ing form
  • gratedpast simple

1. to rub food such as cheese or vegetables against a rough metal surface with shar

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to rub food such as cheese or vegetables against a rough metal surface with sharp holes, cutting it into thin strips or very small pieces

例句

Chidi grated some Parmesan cheese over the pasta before serving.

grate + noun phrase (cheese) for cooking

The recipe calls for two cups of grated carrots mixed into the batter.

grated + noun as adjective (grated carrots)

同義詞
  • shred

    broader term — can mean tearing by hand or using a grater; grate is specifically the action against a grater's rough surface.

  • mince

    cut into very small irregular pieces with a knife or machine, not against a grating surface.

  • grind

    crush into fine particles or powder, often using a mill rather than a grater.

文法句型

grate + noun phrase

grated + noun (as adjective)

用法筆記

Frequently used in the past-participle form (grated) placed before a noun, especially in recipes and cooking instructions (e.g., grated cheese, grated carrot, grated nutmeg). The tool used is called a grater, and it typically has sides with different-sized holes for fine or coarse grating.

常見錯誤

❌She minced the carrot for the salad' (when long thin strips are intended).
✅She grated the carrot for the salad.
💡mincing produces very small, irregular pieces; grating cuts against a rough surface to produce more uniform shreds.
❌Please shred the cheese with a grater' (acceptable but less precise).
✅Please grate the cheese with a grater.
💡grate specifically means using a grater; shred is broader and can mean tearing by hand or with a different tool.

2. when two hard surfaces rub against each other, producing a sharp, harsh, scrapin

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

when two hard surfaces rub against each other, producing a sharp, harsh, scraping noise that is unpleasant to hear

例句

The metal gate grated against the concrete floor every time Cyrus opened it.

grate against + hard surface (concrete)

Kabir could hear the broken gears grating inside the old clock.

同義詞
  • scrape

    softer, broader term for rubbing against a surface; grate specifically implies a harsh, jarring noise.

  • grind

    stronger crushing/rubbing motion, often with pressure; grate is lighter but still harsh.

  • rasp

    less common; describes a rough, harsh sound similar to grating, often used for voices or breathing.

文法句型

grate against + noun phrase

grate on + noun phrase

用法筆記

Typically describes the noise of metal, stone, or wood rubbing against another hard surface. Often used with against (direct contact) or on (surface being scraped). The sound is distinctively harsh — compare with squeak (high-pitched) or creak (groaning).

常見錯誤

❌The door squeaked against the frame' (when describing a rough, harsh sound).
✅The door grated against the frame.
💡squeak is a high-pitched, thin sound; grate is a rough, grinding sound.

3. if a person's behaviour, way of speaking, or a repeated noise grates on you, it

3.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

if a person's behaviour, way of speaking, or a repeated noise grates on you, it annoys you because you find it unpleasant and hard to ignore

例句

His constant humming during meetings began to grate on Chidi's nerves.

grate on + possessive + nerves

The sound of the dripping faucet grated on Iris all night long.

grate on + person directly

同義詞
  • irritate

    broader and more common; can be used with a direct object. Grate on is slightly more informal and implies cumulative annoyance.

  • annoy

    lighter in degree; grate on suggests a persistent, wearing irritation rather than a brief annoyance.

  • get on one's nerves

    idiomatic, same register and meaning as grate on one's nerves; slightly more conversational.

反義詞
  • please

    direct opposite in effect — where grating annoys, pleasing soothes.

  • soothe

    specifically calms the nerves, opposite of grating on them.

文法句型

grate on + person

grate on + nerves

grate upon + noun phrase

用法筆記

Almost always used with on or upon followed by a person or the word nerves. Unlike irritate, which can take a direct object (The noise irritated me), grate must be followed by on/upon before the object (*The noise grated me is incorrect). The subject is typically a sound, behaviour, mannerism, or habit.

常見錯誤

❌His loud chewing grates me.
✅His loud chewing grates on me.
💡grate requires the preposition on when referring to annoyance; without on the sentence implies a scraping sound.
❌The music irritated on my nerves.
✅The music grated on my nerves.
💡irritate takes a direct object; grate on is the correct pattern for this sense.

grate — noun