grew to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grew to understand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a gradual process of gaining knowledge or insight over time. Example: "Over the years, I grew to understand the complexities of human behavior and the factors that influence our decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

They grew to understand each other.

The New York Times - Sports

But I grew to understand it".

The New York Times - Arts

"We all grew to understand that it was a sincere and heartfelt remark".

The New York Times

But though she didn't always like or approve of Tamara, she said, she grew to understand her.

The New York Times

Besides, she retains a deep connection with her memorable and controversial central character, whom she grew to understand completely.

The Guardian - Books

As I got more comfortable with my own skills and grew to understand that nobody is perfect, I learned to cut people a little slack.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

You may grow to understand the newscasts but have trouble understanding a rapid-fire sportscaster.

WikiHow

A Socialpreneur has grown to understand the benefits of social media and has leveraged this understanding in order to build a powerful brand through effective branding.

Huffington Post

Winter says that the way has grown to understand how the media offices function is precisely what is laid out.

The Guardian

I've grown to understand that the society and culture I was born into is damaging the planet we live on at a greater scale than ever before.

The Guardian

Now, three years and 1.3 million scanned customers later, he has grown to understand how the data reflects the bar's business.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grew to understand" to describe a gradual shift in comprehension, often resulting from experience or exposure over time.

Common error

Be careful not to use "grew to understand" when describing an instantaneous realization; instead, opt for phrases like "immediately understood" or "instantly grasped" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grew to understand" functions as a verb phrase, specifically indicating a process of gradually gaining comprehension. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grew to understand" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a gradual development of comprehension. Ludwig's analysis reveals that it's most frequently used in News & Media and Academia, with a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts. While alternatives like ""came to understand"" and "began to understand" exist, "grew to understand" specifically emphasizes the element of time and experience in gaining insight. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and applicable for describing a process of gradually gaining knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

came to understand

Direct synonym, suggesting a gradual realization.

began to understand

Indicates the starting point of understanding.

learned to understand

Emphasizes the learning aspect of gaining understanding.

gradually understood

Highlights the gradual nature of comprehension.

developed an understanding of

Focuses on developing a comprehensive understanding.

gained insight into

Highlights the gaining of deeper insight.

achieved comprehension of

Suggests a successful attainment of understanding.

formed an appreciation for

Implies understanding leading to appreciation.

evolved to comprehend

Evolves the comprehension over time.

realized over time

Focuses on the element of time in realizing something.

FAQs

What does "grew to understand" mean?

The phrase "grew to understand" means that someone gradually developed an understanding or comprehension of something over a period of time.

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

You can use "grew to understand" to describe a gradual process of gaining knowledge or insight. For example: "Over time, I "came to understand" the importance of patience."

What are some alternatives to "grew to understand"?

Some alternatives to "grew to understand" include "came to realize", "began to comprehend", or "developed an understanding of".

Is it correct to say "grow to understand" instead of "grew to understand"?

"Grow to understand" is used to describe a future or potential development of understanding. "Grew to understand" is the past tense, describing an understanding that developed over time in the past.