grew attached

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'grew attached' is correct and is commonly used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea that someone or something has formed an emotional bond with another person or thing. For example: "Over the years, he grew attached to the old house, and couldn't bear the idea of leaving it behind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Over the next few days I grew attached.

The New York Times

Lovenheim grew attached to one of them: the steer.

The New York Times - Books

Kemo's son immediately grew attached to my colleague and her niece adored Xenna.

The New York Times

She grew attached to Tecla and Louis, and particularly liked shooting baskets with Louis.

The New York Times - Magazine

Dumaguete doesn't have any real tourist attractions, but I grew attached to the small harbor town.

The New York Times - Travel

They had initially planned to build and sell it, but they grew attached.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Wild H460 cells and empty shRNA vector H460 cells showed the same cell morphology; cells grew attaching each other.

Plosone

The community has grown attached.

The New York Times

He said, "Well, obviously we've grown attached.

The New York Times

To be honest, I have grown attached to it.

The Guardian

As a result you will grow attached to them.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grew attached" to convey a gradual development of affection or fondness towards a person, place, or thing. Ensure the context implies a passage of time allowing for the emotional connection to form.

Common error

Avoid using "grew attached" to describe immediate or fleeting feelings. This phrase implies a process of developing an emotional connection over time, not a sudden infatuation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grew attached" functions as a verb phrase indicating the gradual development of affection or fondness towards someone or something. It describes a process where an emotional bond forms over time. As Ludwig AI underlines, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

11%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "grew attached" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the gradual development of affection or fondness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a standard expression. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for a range of contexts, from news reporting to personal narratives. The examples show that the phrase is typically used when a bond has formed over time due to repeated interactions. While there are many alternative phrases, such as "became fond of" or "developed a liking for", each carries slightly different connotations. When using "grew attached", it's important to ensure that the context accurately reflects a process of developing an emotional connection, rather than a sudden feeling.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became fond of

Emphasizes the development of affection.

developed a liking for

Focuses on the gradual increase in positive feelings.

became close to

Highlights the development of a personal relationship.

formed an attachment to

More formal way of saying "grew attached".

took a shine to

Informal, suggesting an immediate positive impression that strengthens over time.

became endeared to

Highlights the feeling of being loved or cherished in return.

cultivated an affection for

Suggests a more active and intentional development of fondness.

warmed up to

Suggests an initial neutrality that gradually shifts to positive feelings.

acquired a taste for

Implies developing appreciation over time.

got hooked on

Informal; suggests an enthusiastic fondness.

FAQs

How can I use "grew attached" in a sentence?

You can use "grew attached" to describe the development of fondness over time, as in, "She "grew attached" to the stray kitten after caring for it for several weeks".

What are some alternatives to saying "grew attached"?

Alternatives include "became fond of", "developed a liking for", or "became close to", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "grow attached" or should it always be "grew attached"?

"Grow attached" is the present tense form, while "grew attached" is past tense. Use "grow attached" for current or habitual actions, and "grew attached" for past actions.

What's the difference between "grew attached" and "became obsessed"?

"Grew attached" implies a gentle development of affection, while "became obsessed" suggests an unhealthy, all-consuming preoccupation. The former is positive or neutral, the latter is negative.