grew over time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grew over time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual change or development that occurs as time passes. Example: "The company's reputation grew over time, thanks to its commitment to quality and customer service."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Dr. Theodor and her colleagues studied fossil records to determine how mammal size grew over time.

The New York Times - Science

"What I found living through the reality was that the sort of gendered stuff actually grew over time".

The Guardian

It was something that grew over time.

The New York Times

Amazingly, the laughter only grew over time.

The New Yorker

In Haldeman's view, this approach wasn't perfect, and his doubts grew over time.

The New York Times - Magazine

In the first year, schools received their smallest amount – as the funding agreements grew over time.

The Guardian

For the truth is that Reinhart-Rogoff faced substantial criticism from the start, and the controversy grew over time.

The New York Times

A raconteur with a fund of stories that grew over time, he was funny, irreverent and great company.

The Guardian

The private sector not only drew more attractive lawyers to start, but the looks gap grew over time.

The New York Times

Exner's story, presented as gospel, grew over time and was greeted with skepticism -- as it still is in many quarters.

The New York Times - Arts

Neither the judiciary nor the family has provided details about how much money the Swiss bank account contained or how the amount grew over time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grew over time" to describe a gradual increase or development where the process itself is important. For example, "Their understanding of the issue grew over time as they gathered more information."

Common error

Avoid using "grew over time" as a generic filler. Ensure the phrase adds specific meaning by implying a gradual and natural progression, rather than simply stating a change occurred. Provide details on what exactly grew or how the process unfolded.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grew over time" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of gradual increase or development. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a standard and acceptable construction in English. Examples show its versatility in describing growth in diverse contexts, from mammal size to personal feelings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

21%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grew over time" is a versatile and common expression used to describe gradual development or increase, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Analysis of numerous examples reveals its widespread use across news, scientific literature, and general contexts. Its neutral register and simple structure make it appropriate for various communication styles. When using this phrase, ensure that the gradual nature of the development is emphasized and that the context provides specific meaning rather than generic filling. Alternatives like "developed gradually" or "evolved over the years" can provide nuance depending on the specific message. Remember to use "grew", the correct past tense of "grow".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

developed with time

Replaces "grew" with "developed", emphasizing a more structured or intentional unfolding.

evolved gradually

Substitutes "grew" with "evolved", suggesting a transformation over a period.

increased progressively

Focuses on the quantitative aspect of growth, highlighting a steady rise.

expanded steadily

Emphasizes enlargement or broadening in a consistent manner.

matured eventually

Highlights the completion of a development process after a duration.

unfolded slowly

Shifts the focus to the revealing of something, implying a gradual disclosure.

progressed continuously

Highlights the uninterrupted nature of the development or advance.

accumulated incrementally

Focuses on the gradual addition of elements, leading to overall growth.

flourished subsequently

Emphasizes a positive outcome or thriving condition that follows a period.

extended lengthwise

Highlights that the growth developed in terms of length.

FAQs

How can I use "grew over time" in a sentence?

Use "grew over time" to indicate a gradual increase or development. For example, "The city's population "increased gradually"" or "The company's influence "expanded steadily"."

What can I say instead of "grew over time"?

You can use alternatives such as "developed gradually", "evolved over the years", or "progressed continuously" depending on the context.

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

No, "growed" is not a standard English word. The correct past tense of "grow" is "grew", so the correct phrase is "grew over time".

What's the difference between "grew over time" and "suddenly increased"?

"Grew over time" implies a gradual and continuous process of development, while "suddenly increased" suggests an immediate and rapid change. They are used in different contexts to describe different types of change.