grew stronger

USAGE SUMMARY

"grew stronger" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an example of the Past Participle being used as a verb in the passive voice. You can use this phrase to describe a situation in which something (an emotion, feeling, opinion, etc) has increased in strength: Over the years, her resolve to stand up for what she believed in grew stronger.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Harvey grew stronger from there.

The New York Times - Sports

Their position steadily grew stronger.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"She grew stronger from it.

The New York Times - Sports

The thunder grew stronger.

The Guardian - Travel

But her performance grew stronger.

The New York Times - Arts

My determination only grew stronger.

The New York Times - Style

Democracy grew stronger, more assertive.

The Guardian - Books

His chest deepened, his arms grew stronger.

The New Yorker

Obama and Rezko's friendship grew stronger.

The New Yorker

Their relationship grew stronger through the years.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

They grew strong.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grew stronger" to describe a gradual increase in physical, emotional, or metaphorical strength. Ensure the subject is capable of growth or intensification.

Common error

Avoid using "grew stronger" to describe inanimate objects that do not inherently possess the ability to grow or develop. For instance, saying "the rock grew stronger" is less appropriate than "the rock became more resistant" or "the rock was reinforced".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grew stronger" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating a process of becoming more robust or powerful. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes a situation where something has increased in strength. The examples show it modifying various nouns, like relationships, resolve, and determination.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grew stronger" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe an increase in strength, resilience, or intensity. As Ludwig AI notes, it is versatile and applicable across various contexts, from physical and emotional to abstract concepts. Analysis of Ludwig's examples reveals that it is most frequently used in News & Media and encyclopedic contexts, indicating its suitability for both formal and informal writing. When using the phrase, it's essential to ensure that the subject is capable of growth or intensification and to avoid using it with inanimate objects that cannot inherently develop. Alternative phrases like "became more powerful" or "increased in strength" can provide subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became more powerful

Replaces "grew" with "became" and "stronger" with "more powerful", focusing on the attainment of power.

increased in strength

Substitutes "grew" with "increased" and uses the noun form "strength" instead of the adjective "stronger", offering a slightly more formal tone.

gained momentum

Shifts the focus to the forward progress and increasing speed or force of something.

developed resilience

Highlights the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; emphasizes the ability to withstand pressure.

hardened

Implies a toughening or becoming less vulnerable, often after facing challenges.

intensified

Indicates an increase in degree or force, often used for feelings or conditions.

waxed stronger

Uses an archaic term, "waxed", to denote an increase, adding a literary or old-fashioned feel.

advanced in power

Similar to "became more powerful", focusing on the advancement in terms of power.

flourished

Suggests a thriving and vigorous growth, implying not only strength but also overall success.

reinforced

Focuses on the act of strengthening something that already exists, adding additional support.

FAQs

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

You can use "grew stronger" to describe an increase in physical strength (e.g., "As he trained, his muscles grew stronger"), emotional resilience (e.g., "Her determination grew stronger after each setback"), or the intensification of something abstract (e.g., "The movement's influence grew stronger over time").

What are some alternatives to "grew stronger"?

Alternatives include "became more powerful", "increased in strength", or "gained momentum" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

No, "growed" is not a standard English past tense form. The correct past tense of "grow" is "grew". Therefore, "grew stronger" is the correct phrase.

What is the difference between "grew stronger" and "became stronger"?

While both phrases indicate an increase in strength, "grew stronger" often implies a more gradual or natural development over time. "Became stronger" is more general and can refer to a more sudden or immediate increase. However, in many contexts, they are interchangeable.