grew ever longer

USAGE SUMMARY

"grew ever longer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you need to describe something that is gradually increasing in duration. For example: "The line outside the store grew ever longer as customers waited to get their hands on the limited edition shoes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

These fantasies grew ever longer and more complex.

The New Yorker

He simply looked over at the tables of the American chefs, passing out mini-burgers as lines grew ever longer.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Rents are soaring, and waiting lists for subsidised housing growing ever longer.

The Economist

The influence cast by WG Sebald over contemporary fiction grows ever longer.

The Guardian - Books

This is a show in which the silences grow ever longer as Seaton's rebellion proves ever more futile.

The Guardian

Intervals between releases of new material were growing ever longer, though Michael retained a powerful popular appeal.

The Guardian - Music

Sewer and water rates are climbing, and the list of cut city services and jobs grows ever longer.

The New York Times

The hair on one's head grows ever longer, seemingly without limit, but the hair on one's legs seems to grow to a certain length and stop.

The New York Times - Science

More than five years after the housing bust, the roll call of banking executives who have been blamed by the public for the crisis has grown ever longer.

The New York Times

The work day in the sewing factory was growing ever longer; by the end of the summer it would reach 17 hours.

The Guardian - Books

Notwithstanding growing disquiet on both sides of the Atlantic over how Saudi Arabia is deploying its expensive western weaponry in Yemen, the months tick by while the list of Yemeni civilians killed grows ever longer.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grew ever longer" to describe a gradual increase in length, duration, or extent, often suggesting a process that continues over time. Ensure the context supports the idea of continuous growth or extension.

Common error

Avoid using "grew ever longer" to describe something that is inherently static or doesn't naturally undergo a growth process. For example, it would be less appropriate to say "The building grew ever longer" unless referring to a metaphorical or gradual addition of sections.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grew ever longer" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a gradual increase in length or duration. As illustrated by Ludwig, this phrase adds emphasis to the continuous nature of the growth.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Books

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grew ever longer" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the continuous and gradual increase in length or duration. Although Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its occurrence is relatively rare. Predominantly found in news and media, books, and science contexts, it carries a neutral register suitable for a variety of writing styles. When using the phrase, it's essential to ensure the context supports the idea of continuous growth, and be mindful of the subtle emphasis it adds compared to simpler alternatives like "grew longer."

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became increasingly long

Focuses more on the state of being long rather than the process of becoming so.

extended for a greater duration

Emphasizes the duration or time aspect of the extension.

lengthened progressively

Highlights the step-by-step nature of the lengthening.

expanded in length

Focuses on the physical length and its expansion.

became protracted

Implies an undesirable or tedious extension.

stretched out further

Suggests a physical stretching or elongation.

increased in extensiveness

Formal and emphasizes the degree to which something extends.

ran on for longer periods

Specifically refers to an event or activity continuing for an extended time.

drawn out over time

Implies a gradual and sometimes laborious lengthening.

became more prolonged

Highlights the extended duration, often implying something undesirable.

FAQs

How can I use "grew ever longer" in a sentence?

You can use "grew ever longer" to describe something that gradually increases in length or duration over time. For example, "The shadows "grew ever longer" as the sun set" or "The waiting list "grew ever longer" as demand increased."

What are some alternatives to "grew ever longer"?

Some alternatives include "became increasingly long", "extended for a greater duration", or "lengthened progressively". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "grew longer" or "grew ever longer"?

"Grew longer" is a simpler and more common phrase. "Grew ever longer" emphasizes the continuous and ongoing nature of the growth. Use "grew ever longer" when you want to highlight that the increase was gradual and persistent.

What's the difference between "grew ever longer" and "became longer"?

"Grew ever longer" implies a process of continuous growth in length, while "became longer" simply indicates a change to a longer state. The former emphasizes the gradual increase, while the latter focuses on the final result.