grew to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grew to be" is a perfectly correct and grammatically correct way to express the idea of something becoming something else over time.
It is often used to express how something was initially a certain thing, but eventually became something else. For example, "The small business grew to be a successful regional chain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They hatched and grew to be adults.

The New York Times - Science

They grew to be inefficient and bloated.

The Guardian

Ms. Goodroad grew to be 5 feet 11 inches.

The New York Times

Diadectes grew to be about 6 feet (2 m) long.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Despite her upbringing, she grew to be a nice person.

The New York Times

The Wilpon stake with Madoff grew to be enormous.

The New Yorker

Of these stories English grew to be profoundly sceptical.

The Guardian - Books

"I grew to be 5ft 10in when I was 11".

The Guardian - Film

That stake grew to be worth more than $1 billion.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Hemlocks can grow to be up to 175 ft tall.

Cornell University

"We're too grown to be intimidated," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grew to be" to illustrate gradual change or development over a period. For instance, "The small village grew to be a bustling town."

Common error

While versatile, "grew to be" can sometimes sound informal in very formal writing. Consider alternatives like "became" or "evolved into" for a more professional tone in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grew to be" functions as a linking verb phrase, connecting a subject with a predicate nominative or adjective. It describes a process of transformation or development over time. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Encyclopedias

18%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Science

5%

HuffPost

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grew to be" is a common and grammatically sound way to express development or transformation over time. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's versatile enough for many contexts, though may lean towards neutral or slightly informal writing. Usage examples from Ludwig show that this phrase is found frequently in news and media, encyclopedia articles, and academic texts. While suitable for general use, remember that alternative phrases like "became" or "evolved into" might be preferable in more formal settings to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

became

A simpler, more direct way of expressing the same transformation.

developed into

Emphasizes a process of growth and maturation.

turned into

Indicates a change in state or form, often unexpectedly.

evolved into

Focuses on a gradual development into a new state or form.

transformed into

Suggests a more significant and dramatic change.

progressed to be

Highlights a step-by-step advancement.

expanded into

Highlights an increase in size, scope, or influence.

matured into

Implies a natural progression towards completeness or perfection.

risen to be

Conveys an ascent to a higher position or status.

flourished into

Suggests a thriving and successful development.

FAQs

How can I use "grew to be" in a sentence?

Use "grew to be" to describe a transformation or development that occurred over time. For example, "The company "grew to be" a market leader".

What are some alternatives to "grew to be"?

You can use alternatives like "became", "evolved into", or "developed into" depending on the context.

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

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

What's the difference between "grew to be" and "became"?

"Grew to be" often implies a more gradual or natural development than "became", which can suggest a more sudden change. For instance, "She "grew to be" a skilled musician" suggests a gradual process, while "She "became" famous overnight" indicates a sudden change.