grow capable of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grow capable of" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts discussing development or improvement in skills or abilities, but it is better to rephrase for clarity. Example: "With practice, she will grow capable of handling complex tasks."

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In "The Magician's Land," Quentin learns to face his own fears and flaws, and in the process grows capable of connecting with others.

The New York Times - Books

The most important characteristics of E. hybrid contributing to its popularity under Indian conditions are: it is fast growing, capable of over topping weeds, coppices well, is fire hardy, browse resistant and it has the ability to adapt to a wide range of edaphoclimatic conditions (Kushalappa, 1984).

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

How can children grow up capable of making common-sense choices for themselves, about work, life and play, when their role models and guardians seek to regulate their every move?

The New York Times

"As computers grow more capable of handling massive amounts of data, they also need to become more intuitive to use," Kevin Kutz, spokesman for Microsoft Research, told the BBC.

BBC

I wouldn't see him again until we were both adults, fully grown men capable of real violence.

The New Yorker

The second society was made up of lower, less complex agriculturalists, based primarily in tropical forests, and they grew fungus capable of escaping its garden and living independently.

The New York Times - Science

The deal represents a big payday for Icahn, but in return he offers investors a turnaround that's profitable, growing and capable of handling future growth.

Forbes

We have become a grown up party capable of leading a grown up nation.

The Guardian

Married so young, they never had the chance to grow into individuals capable of the patience and compassion necessary when making a lifetime commitment.

The New York Times

But not if you keep in mind that the survivors can eventually grow into behemoths capable of traveling thousands of miles in pursuit of their ancient destiny.

Forbes

There is reported in humans that these tumors, although slow growing, are capable of rapid enlargement and metastasis at any stage of their evolution.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grow capable of", consider whether a more direct phrase like "become capable of" or "develop the ability to" would enhance clarity and readability. This can often streamline your sentence and make your meaning more accessible to the reader.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences where "grow capable of" results in an overly passive voice. Ensure the subject of your sentence is clearly performing an action, rather than being acted upon, to maintain a strong and engaging writing style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow capable of" functions as a linking phrase connecting a process of development (grow) with the acquisition of an ability or skill (capable of). It describes a transformation over time, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "grow capable of" describes the process of developing an ability or skill over time. While grammatically acceptable, it can sometimes sound slightly awkward, and alternatives like "become capable of" or "develop the ability to" often offer greater clarity. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is mostly used in news, scientific, and academic contexts with a neutral to formal tone. It's important to consider the sentence structure to avoid passive voice and ensure the subject is clearly performing an action. For greater impact and readability, opting for more direct phrasing is generally recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become proficient in

Emphasizes achieving a high level of skill through development.

develop the skill to

Focuses on the process of gaining a specific skill.

gain the ability to

Highlights acquiring a general ability.

cultivate the capacity for

Suggests a more deliberate and nurtured development.

evolve into being able to

Implies a gradual and natural progression in capability.

mature into competence in

Focuses on gaining competence through maturation.

progress towards mastery of

Highlights the journey towards expertise.

get the hang of

A more informal way of expressing the acquisition of skill.

learn to master

Focuses on learning as a path to mastery.

become adept at

Highlights becoming skilled and proficient.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "grow capable of"?

Consider using alternatives such as "become capable of", "develop the ability to", or "gain the capacity to" for improved clarity.

Is "grow capable of" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "grow capable of" can sound awkward. More common phrasing includes "become capable of" or "develop the ability to".

How can I improve the clarity of sentences using "grow capable of"?

Ensure the sentence structure is active rather than passive. Simplify the phrase to alternatives like "become able to" or "develop skills in".

In what contexts is "grow capable of" most appropriate?

It is sometimes used in formal writing discussing long-term development or improvement, but simpler phrasing is often preferred for clarity and impact.