grew old

USAGE SUMMARY

"grew old" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something or someone that has aged over time. For example, "The giant redwood tree grew old and wise more slowly than any other tree on the mountain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

That I grew old.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Powell never grew old gracefully.

The Guardian

Then they grew old.

The Guardian

Only Alice and her father grew old.

The New Yorker

Finally, Tony grew old and died.

The New Yorker

They grew old and stayed old.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Schiavone mostly grew older.

The New York Times - Sports

Frank Sinatra Jr. grew older.

The New York Times - Magazine

As I grew older, it went away".

The New Yorker

She grew older, more distant and polite.

The New Yorker

As she grew older, her hearing worsened.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grew old" when you want to emphasize the gradual process of aging, as opposed to simply stating that someone or something is old.

Common error

While "grew old" is a common phrase, consider alternatives like "aged" or "got older" if you want to avoid a potentially repetitive or overly literary tone, especially in informal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grew old" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a process of aging or maturation. It describes the gradual transition from a younger state to an older one. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grew old" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the process of aging. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various writing contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, it indicates a gradual transition to an older state. While generally neutral, you might consider alternatives like "aged" or "got older" for specific nuances. The phrase effectively communicates the effects of time on a subject, be it a person, object, or concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aged

This is a simpler, more direct verb for becoming old.

got older

This is a more common and straightforward alternative to "grew old".

reached old age

This phrase indicates the completion of the aging process.

became elderly

This focuses on the state of being old, rather than the process of aging.

advanced in years

This is a more formal and somewhat literary way of saying "grew old".

matured

This focuses on the positive aspects of aging and development.

declined with age

This highlights the negative aspects of aging, focusing on deterioration.

passed their prime

This suggests a decline from a previous peak of vigor and vitality.

lived a long life

This focuses on the duration of life, often implying that the person also "grew old".

saw many years

A poetic way to suggest aging and experiencing life over a long period.

FAQs

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

You can use "grew old" to describe the process of aging, for example, "The ancient oak tree "grew old" and weathered over centuries."

What are some alternatives to saying "grew old"?

Some alternatives to "grew old" include "aged", "got older", or "became elderly", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

No, "growed" is not standard English. The correct past tense of "grow" is "grew", so the correct phrase is ""grew old"".

What is the difference between "grew old" and "was old"?

"Grew old" describes the process of becoming old over time, while "was old" simply states that someone or something was in a state of old age at a particular point in time. For example, "He "grew old" gracefully," versus "He was old and wise."