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:




(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 (Wk) equal to or less than 1.5%. The values and preferred values of R1-3 are disclosed herein.