grew up doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grew up doing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe activities or habits that someone engaged in during their childhood or formative years. Example: "I grew up doing sports every weekend, which instilled a love for fitness in me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Harris and I both grew up doing classical strings, so we kind of treat the voices like instruments where we don't really do vocal things with them.

Huffington Post

We fucking grew up doing it!

The New Yorker

I also grew up doing a lot of competitive piano.

The New York Times

I grew up doing this work with my father.

The New Yorker

I grew up doing gymnastics, so it wasn't so difficult".

The New York Times

"The generation getting married today grew up doing their studying at McDonald's," Mr. Mathews said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

That is what growing up does to most young men.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet for No Doubt, growing up doesn't mean slowing down.

The New York Times - Arts

Growing up doesn't help.

Huffington Post

This article originally appeared on VICE US.

Vice

Acting more grown up doesn't mean smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grew up doing", ensure the activity is something the subject consistently engaged in over a significant portion of their childhood or adolescence. This phrase implies a formative experience, not just a one-time event.

Common error

Avoid using "grew up doing" to describe isolated incidents or activities only tried once or twice. This phrase suggests repeated, formative experiences. For example, saying "I grew up doing skydiving" when you only did it once is misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grew up doing" functions as a verbal phrase indicating activities or habits established during childhood or adolescence. It emphasizes the long-term engagement in those activities, as exemplified by many of Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grew up doing" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe activities regularly performed during one's formative years. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is considered correct. With a high frequency of usage across various sources, particularly in News & Media, it conveys formative experiences. When employing this phrase, ensure the activity was consistently practiced and not just a one-time event. Alternatives like "was raised doing" or "spent my childhood doing" can offer slightly different nuances. Overall, "grew up doing" is a versatile and widely accepted phrase for describing long-term engagements during childhood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was raised doing

Focuses on upbringing and habitual actions during childhood.

spent my childhood doing

Highlights the time period (childhood) dedicated to specific activities.

had a childhood filled with

Emphasizes the abundance of certain experiences during childhood.

was accustomed to doing since childhood

Implies a long-standing habit or familiarity that started in childhood.

from a young age, engaged in

Stresses the early start of the activity.

cultivated a habit of since youth

Highlights the development of a habit starting from a young age.

spent formative years engaged in

Focuses on the developmental period of life and involvement in activities.

was brought up on

Highlights upbringing, and influence from a young age. It's slightly more passive compared to 'grew up doing'.

early years were defined by

Highlights the defining experiences of one's early life.

youth was characterized by

Describes the key features and activities prevalent during one's youth.

FAQs

How can I use "grew up doing" in a sentence?

Use "grew up doing" to describe activities you regularly engaged in during your childhood or adolescence. For example, "I "grew up doing" sports every weekend" or "She "grew up doing" chores around the house".

What are some alternatives to "grew up doing"?

Alternatives include "was raised doing", "spent my childhood doing", or "had a childhood filled with". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I grew up to do" instead of "I grew up doing"?

No, "I grew up to do" has a different meaning. It suggests that you matured and eventually accomplished something, whereas "I "grew up doing"" means you regularly engaged in the activity during your formative years.

What's the difference between "grew up doing" and "was raised doing"?

"Grew up doing" focuses on the activities you engaged in, while "was raised doing" emphasizes the environment and upbringing that led you to those activities. They are often interchangeable, but "was raised doing" highlights the influence of your upbringing.