grew

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'grew' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a past tense verb to indicate that something increased in size, number, or intensity over a period of time. Example: The popularity of the new restaurant grew quickly as more people in the city found out about it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And grew.

The Economist

The number of boarding groups began to resemble something like a caste system; "change fees," which have always been outrageous, grew higher (two hundred dollars for domestic, three hundred dollars for international), while baggage fees soared to as high as a hundred dollars.

The Economist

He was born in South Africa and grew up in England and Wales; one grandfather is buried in Hong Kong, and his dad was interned by the Japanese during the Second World War.

The Guardian - Music

The generation who grew up surrounded by acknowledgements that they had dignity, bravery and the capacity for greatness were, unsurprisingly, nifty voters - the first chance they got, they elected a government which promised to reward their sacrifices with a welfare state.

The Guardian

I grew up in Nebraska; my family is from Texas.

The Guardian - Opinion

Or, to be specific, blow kisses at my daughter, who grew fabulously adept at blowing them back and basking in her newfound glory as the only natural blonde on the island.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It grew by 0.9% and is set to grow at almost twice the speed of the euro area this year.

The Guardian - Business

The eurozone's third biggest economy grew 0.3% quarter on quarter, slightly more than expected thanks to a pickup in domestic demand.

The Guardian - Business

I remained overly cautious, and even as our child grew up and started to put two and two together, I was conservative in anything I said, lest I should be in contempt of court.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As Bournemouth grew into the contest so the pressure on Ipswich began to tell.

The Guardian - Sport

"We grew up with our grandparents taking us on long walks and telling us about the rocks," says Ali Hormuzi, a 44-year-old resident.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grew", ensure that the subject experiencing growth is clearly defined. This provides clarity and context to the sentence. For example, "The company's profits grew significantly" is more effective than simply stating "Profits grew".

Common error

Avoid using "growed" as the past tense of grow. The correct past tense form is "grew". Using "growed" is a common grammatical error that should be avoided in formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "grew" is as the simple past tense of the verb "grow". It describes a completed action in the past, indicating an increase, development, or evolution. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Grew", as the simple past tense of "grow", is a versatile and frequently used verb to describe past increases, developments, or evolution. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, particularly in the News & Media. While it's essential to avoid the incorrect form "growed", "grew" fits seamlessly into various contexts, maintaining a neutral register. Understanding its function, purpose, and available alternatives allows for more precise and effective communication. The expert analysis underscores its reliability, making it a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increased

Indicates a quantitative rise, often in numbers or degree.

expanded

Suggests growth in size or scope.

developed

Implies a process of maturation or evolution.

progressed

Indicates forward movement or advancement.

rose

Suggests an upward movement, often in a figurative sense like prices or emotions.

matured

Implies a process of becoming fully developed, often used for living things or abstract concepts.

flourished

Suggests thriving or vigorous growth.

escalated

Indicates a rapid or dramatic increase, often in intensity.

multiplied

Suggests a rapid increase in number.

accumulated

Implies a gradual increase through addition.

FAQs

How can I use "grew" in a sentence?

You can use "grew" to indicate an increase in size, number, or intensity over time. For example, "The plant "grew" taller each day" or "Her interest in the subject "grew" as she learned more".

What are some alternatives to the word "grew"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "increased", "expanded", or "developed". Each word subtly changes the meaning, so choose the one that best fits your intended message.

Is it correct to say "growed" instead of "grew"?

No, "growed" is not a correct form of the past tense of "grow". The correct past tense form is "grew".

What's the difference between "grew" and "was growing"?

"Grew" indicates a completed action in the past, while "was growing" indicates a continuous action in the past. For example, "The company "grew" rapidly last year" (completed action) versus "The company "was growing" steadily throughout the year" (continuous action).