a grown son

USAGE SUMMARY

"a grown son" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a son who is now an adult. For example, "He was a proud father of two children, a teenage daughter and a grown son."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Freeman was married, with a grown son.

The New Yorker

Q You have a grown son and daughter.

The New York Times

They have a grown son and one grandson.

The New York Times

In Florida, a grown son at his dying mother's side leafs through her photo albums.

The New Yorker

Mrs. Unwin also has a grown son, and has had two nervous breakdowns.

The New Yorker

Ms. Hammerman, 66, a widow with a grown son, decided to smuggle her to the beach.

The New York Times

She decided to buy a plot for herself, her recently deceased husband and a grown son.

The New York Times

Ms. Hines also had a grown son, Alfred Hines, 34, who lives in a homeless shelter.

The New York Times

He and his wife, Antoinette, have a grown son and daughter.

The New York Times

Divorced twice and with a grown son, she decided to give up sex herself.

The New York Times - Books

"It was meant to include all workaholics," said Rendell, who is married with a grown son.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a grown son" to clearly indicate that you are referring to a son who is an adult, especially when distinguishing from younger children in the family.

Common error

Be clear about the son's age if the context might be confusing. For instance, avoid using "son" alone if the discussion involves children of varying ages, and you need to specify adulthood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a grown son" functions primarily as a noun phrase that modifies another noun or pronoun, indicating that the son being referred to is an adult. As seen in the examples provided by Ludwig, the phrase is commonly used to describe a person's relationship or family status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a grown son" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to a son who has reached adulthood. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves to provide clarity and specificity in describing family relationships, particularly when the son's age is relevant. The phrase is predominantly found in news and media contexts and maintains a neutral register. While alternatives such as "adult son" or "mature son" exist, "a grown son" is widely understood and easily integrates into various types of writing, offering a clear and concise way to communicate the son's adult status.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adult son

Focuses solely on the son's adult status, lacking the implication of aging from childhood.

fully grown son

Highlights the completeness of the son's physical growth.

grown-up son

More informal and emphasizes the transition from childhood to adulthood.

mature son

Emphasizes the son's maturity level, which may or may not correlate with age.

son, now an adult

Emphasizes the change in status from child to adult.

son who is an adult

A more descriptive and less concise way of saying "a grown son".

son of mature age

A more formal way to indicate the son has reached adulthood.

adult male offspring

A more formal and biological way of describing a grown son.

no longer a boy, but her son

Focuses on the contrast between past and present, emphasizing continued familial bond.

man child

Implies that the son is still immature, despite being an adult.

FAQs

How can I use "a grown son" in a sentence?

The phrase "a grown son" is typically used to describe a male child who has reached adulthood. For example, "She has "a grown son" who is now a doctor".

What are some alternatives to saying "a grown son"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "adult son", "mature son", or "grown-up son". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "a grown son"? Why not just "son"?

While "son" is sufficient in many cases, "a grown son" emphasizes that the son is an adult, which can be important for clarity, especially when other children are mentioned or the son's adulthood is relevant to the discussion.

What's the difference between ""a grown son"" and "a young son"?

The phrase ""a grown son"" indicates the son is an adult, while "a young son" indicates the son is still a child. They are direct opposites in terms of age and developmental stage.