as I grew

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as I grew" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a change or development that occurred over time in relation to personal growth or experiences. Example: "As I grew, I began to understand the importance of empathy and kindness in my relationships."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As I grew older, it went away".

The New Yorker

And as I grew, so did he.

Independent

I absorbed their albums as I grew.

The New Yorker

As I grew up, it developed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As I grew, persistent questions nagged at me.

The New Yorker

As I grew older, his homecomings became less frequent.

The New York Times

As I grew up I saw her very differently.

The New York Times

"As I grew up, my mom grew down," he says.

The New York Times - Books

As I grew up, I became quite rebellious and talkative.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As I grew up, so did the Mustang.

The New York Times

But as I grew up, he was alluded to.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "as I grew" with specific details or examples to make your writing more engaging and relatable. Avoid vague statements; provide concrete instances of your growth.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences or paragraphs with "as I grew". This can make your writing repetitive and monotonous. Vary your sentence structure by using alternative phrases like "as I matured" or "over time" or simply rephrasing to emphasize the change itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as I grew" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by indicating when something happened or changed. It sets a temporal context for the action or state described in the main clause, showing that it occurred alongside or as a result of personal growth. Ludwig confirms this through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as I grew" is a versatile and frequently used adverbial clause of time that signifies personal development and change over a period. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts but maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal writing. When using "as I grew", it's important to provide specific details and avoid overuse to ensure clarity and maintain reader engagement. Alternatives like "as I matured" or "over time" can help vary sentence structure and add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as I matured

Focuses on emotional and intellectual development rather than just physical growth.

as I developed

Emphasizes gradual advancement and unfolding of potential.

in my formative years

Highlights the period of life when character and abilities are shaped.

during my upbringing

Specifically refers to the period of childhood and adolescence when raised by parents or guardians.

over time

A more general phrase indicating a process occurring across a span of time.

with the passage of years

Emphasizes the role of time in bringing about changes.

as time went on

Indicates a progression of events unfolding as time passes.

as I advanced in years

Focuses on the accumulation of age and experience.

in my youth

Refers specifically to the period of being young, before adulthood.

growing up

Implies the entire process of maturation from childhood to adulthood.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "as I grew" in a sentence?

Use "as I grew" to connect a past state or belief with a present one, illustrating a change or development that occurred over time. For instance, "As I grew, I began to understand the importance of empathy."

What are some alternatives to "as I grew"?

You can use alternatives like "as I matured", "as I developed", or "over time" to express a similar idea of personal development.

Is it grammatically correct to say "as I grew older" instead of "as I grew"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct, but "as I grew older" is more specific and emphasizes the passage of time as the cause of the change. "As I grew" is more general and can encompass emotional or intellectual growth as well.

Can "as I grew" be used to describe negative changes or developments?

Yes, "as I grew" can describe both positive and negative changes. For example, "As I grew, my anxiety worsened."