A method for grinding a solid in a vertical roller mill (VRM), comprising grinding at least one solid in the presence of a grinding stabilizing additive, wherein the grinding stabilizing additive comprises an alkanol amino acid compound or a disodium or dipotassium salt thereof having the structural formula (I): The definitions of variables R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are provided herein. ##STR00001##

A method of making a cement composition, comprising grinding a cement clinker and a strength-enhancing agent, thereby producing a hydraulic cementitious powder, wherein the strength-enhancing agent is present in the hydraulic cementitious powder in an amount of from 0.001% to 0.09% based on dry weight of the hydraulic cementitious powder. The strength-enhancing agent is a compound represented by the following structural formula (I). The definitions of variables R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 as well as R.sup.10, R.sup.20, and R.sup.30 are provided herein.

A method for grinding a solid in a vertical roller mill (VRM), comprising grinding at least one solid in the presence of a grinding stabilizing additive, wherein the grinding stabilizing additive comprises an alkanol amino acid compound or a disodium or dipotassium salt thereof having the structural formula (I): The definitions of variables R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are provided herein.

##STR00001##

Method for grinding a solid in a vertical roller mill (VRM) and a cement composition prepared by the disclosed methods. A method comprises grinding a solid comprising a cement clinker under a water spray in the presence of a grinding stabilizing additive, wherein the grinding stabilizing additive comprises: (i) an alkanol amino acid compound or a disodium or dipotassium salt thereof having the structural formula:

##STR00001##

(ii) a glycol; or a mixture of (i) and (ii), wherein the water spray level is reduced by at least 5% compared to a control. Cement compositions prepared by the disclosed methods have the pre-hydration level (W.sub.k) equal to or less than 1.5%. The values and preferred values of R.sup.1-3 are disclosed herein.