grew bashful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grew bashful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone becoming shy or self-conscious, often in response to a particular situation or interaction. Example: "When the spotlight turned to her, she grew bashful and looked down at her feet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The boys grew bashful and did not respond, earning them a gentle scolding for being impolite.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Although under fire since his previous surge two months ago for all his self-aggrandizing exaggerations, he hasn't grown careful or bashful or anything of the sort.

The New York Times

A bashful son of a Methodist minister, McGovern grew wary of "the excessive emotionalism of some evangelists" as he came of age in an America where his father was occasionally compensated not in cash but in cabbage.[1].

Huffington Post

And then -- to make sure that today's kids wouldn't confuse the 2014 versions of Doc, Happy, Sneezy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful and Dopey with the Dwarfs their mothers & fathers grew up with -- Disney Television Animation assembled a vocal cast for this new animated series that some have already called "... the voice artist equivalent of Marvel's The Avengers".

Huffington Post

But in the United States, a much bigger market, her growing fan base seems almost bashful but mostly grateful.

The New York Times - Arts

If you've never seen a plant called a touch-me-not before, it's a "bashful" herb that grows in warm climate areas and has the unusual characteristic of shrinking from human touch and folding inward, as if hiding, only to reopen minutes later.

Vice

Sheeran's appeal has always been rooted in his earnest wholesomeness, and while his 02 performance was imbued with a bashful confidence, he was in complete command of his ever-growing disciples.

Independent

bashful Pompeii.

The Guardian - Books

Don't be bashful.

Stanford University

Two bashful lovers linger.

The Guardian

The woman became bashful.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grew bashful", ensure the context clearly indicates a transition from a less shy state to a more shy one. It is often effective when describing a change in behavior or demeanor in response to a specific event or realization.

Common error

Avoid using "grew bashful" when a stronger term like "terrified" or "mortified" would be more accurate. "Bashful" implies a mild form of shyness, not intense fear or shame.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grew bashful" functions as a descriptive element, portraying a change in emotional state. As noted by Ludwig AI, it correctly uses "grew" as a linking verb to connect the subject to the adjective "bashful", indicating a transition into a state of shyness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "grew bashful" effectively describes a transition towards shyness or self-consciousness. While considered grammatically correct by Ludwig AI, its usage is relatively rare. It is most frequently found in news and media and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates a change in emotional state and that "bashful" accurately reflects the degree of shyness. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "became shy" or "turned timid".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became shy

Directly replaces "grew bashful" with a more common synonym for expressing the same sentiment.

turned timid

Emphasizes a loss of confidence and courage, similar to becoming bashful.

became self-conscious

Focuses on awareness of oneself in relation to others, leading to shyness.

developed shyness

Highlights the process of becoming shy over time.

retreated into shyness

Suggests a withdrawal from social interaction due to shyness.

lost their nerve

Indicates a sudden decrease in confidence, resulting in hesitation or shyness.

became reserved

Implies a conscious decision to be less outgoing, often linked to shyness.

grew diffident

Uses a more formal synonym for bashful, emphasizing a lack of self-confidence.

grew reticent

Highlights a reluctance to speak or share thoughts, driven by shyness or discomfort.

showed timidity

Indicates a display of shyness or fear in behavior.

FAQs

What does "grew bashful" mean?

"Grew bashful" means someone became shy or self-conscious, often in response to a particular situation or interaction. It describes a transition towards shyness.

What can I say instead of "grew bashful"?

You can use alternatives like "became shy", "turned timid", or "became self-conscious" depending on the context.

Is "grew bashful" grammatically correct?

Yes, "grew bashful" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard English construction of "grew" as a linking verb connecting to the adjective "bashful".

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

You can use "grew bashful" to describe a character's reaction in a narrative, such as, "When the spotlight turned to her, she "grew bashful" and looked down at her feet."