Meaning & use
trudges through
Last updated
“trudges through” is a form of “trudge through”.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Walks slowly and with heavy steps through something, especially because it is tiring or difficult.
Grammar: Takes an object after 'through': trudge through the snow. The subject is usually a person or animal.
Patterns
- trudge through something
- trudge through a place
- trudge through a task
We trudged through the deep snow for hours before reaching the cabin.
Every morning she trudges through the muddy field to get to the bus stop.
The hikers trudged through the rain, too tired to talk.
verbtransitive
Works slowly and with effort on something long or boring until it is finished.
Grammar: Used with 'through' and an object like 'paperwork' or 'a book'; often suggests the task is unpleasant.
Patterns
- trudge through something
- trudge through a pile of something
- trudge through the details
He spent the weekend trudging through tax forms.
I'm still trudging through the last chapter of that novel.
She trudged through the report, checking every number twice.
Word forms
| third person singular | trudges through |
|---|---|
| past tense | trudged through |
| past participle | trudged through |
| -ing form | trudging through |
Common combinations
- trudge through the snow
- The children trudged through the snow to build a snowman.
- trudge through the mud
- After the storm, we had to trudge through the mud to get home.
- trudge through paperwork
- No one enjoys trudging through paperwork on a Friday afternoon.
- trudge through a book
- I'm slowly trudging through a book about ancient history.
Synonyms and how they differ
- plod through
- Very similar, but 'plod' often suggests a steady, dull walk rather than heavy tiredness.
- wade through
- Used especially when moving through water or a large amount of text; 'trudge' is more about heavy steps on land.
- slog through
- Stronger and more informal, suggesting a long, exhausting effort.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: trudges through or trudge?
trudges through vs trudge
'Trudge' can be used alone (He trudged home), but 'trudge through' needs an object after 'through'.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose one answer.
'Trudge through' is inseparable, so the object comes after 'through': trudge through the snow. The other options break the phrasal verb or add an extra word.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “trudges through”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.