grow certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grow certain" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where someone is becoming more confident or sure about something over time. Example: "As I researched the topic more, I began to grow certain of my conclusions."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Looking back on the transfer, Icardi said in 2013: "If a youngster wants to grow, certain decisions have to be made.

Independent

The idea is to weigh the benefit of the greater community versus the needs or wants of people to grow certain programs".

The New York Times

France "now must work to raise the population of hamsters up to 1,500," which would be enough to preserve the species, he said, and the prefecture of Alsace "must stop some urbanization projects and restore" older agreements to grow certain cereals that hamsters eat.

The New York Times

Damage to crops and inability to grow certain species was reported by 30 of the 37 participants.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

Under the Farm Bill, the U.S. government has been subsidizing farmers who grow certain types of crops, such as corn and soy, since the Great Depression.

TechCrunch

Human ES and iPS cells seem to be at a slightly more differentiated state than their mouse counterparts, which makes it more difficult to grow certain types of cells from them.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Nothing helped — she grew certain that she was going to die.

The New Yorker

As the word list has grown, certain letters have become overvalued and others undervalued.

The New Yorker

The jury commissioned a survey of existing parks and grew certain that the memorial should offer residents green space.

The New York Times

That site allows anyone to contribute, and the community has grown certain stock stories that are warped and changed over time.

Independent

One time, for instance, he bought a tomato dryer and became fixated on growing certain flavorful but rare heirloom varieties from seed.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grow certain", consider if a more direct and common phrase like "become confident" or "gain assurance" would improve clarity and readability.

Common error

Avoid using "grow certain" when you mean simply "are certain". The "grow" implies a process of becoming, not a static state. Use it to convey a gradual increase in certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow certain" functions as a verb phrase followed by an adjective, indicating a process of becoming more sure or confident. Ludwig AI considers it acceptable, but advises that other more common options may be more clear.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

36%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grow certain" describes a gradual process of becoming more confident or sure about something. While grammatically acceptable, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's less common than alternatives like "become confident" or "gain assurance". The phrase appears mostly in news, media, and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral register. It's essential to consider the nuance and choose the most precise wording to ensure clarity. Remember to use "grow certain" when you want to emphasize the journey toward certainty, rather than a static state of being sure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grow confident

Similar to the original phrase, but emphasizes overall confidence rather than a specific point of certainty.

become confident

Focuses on the resulting state of confidence rather than the process of achieving it.

gain assurance

Emphasizes the acquisition of certainty or security.

develop conviction

Highlights the formation of a strong belief or opinion.

find assurance

Similar to 'gain assurance' but can imply a more passive discovery of certainty.

become convinced

Focuses on the process of being persuaded or satisfied with the truth of something.

feel certain

Focuses on the subjective feeling of certainty.

increase confidence

Directly refers to the process of boosting one's self-assurance or trust.

acquire certainty

Suggests a deliberate effort to obtain definite knowledge or conviction.

turn certain

Implies a shift from uncertainty to certainty, often in a specific instance.

FAQs

What does "grow certain" mean?

"Grow certain" suggests a gradual increase in certainty or confidence about something over time, not an instantaneous state of being sure.

What can I say instead of "grow certain"?

Alternatives include "become confident", "gain assurance", or "develop conviction", depending on the specific context.

Is "grow certain" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "grow certain" is less common than other alternatives and may sound awkward to some. Ludwig AI considers it an acceptable but not preferred phrase.

How can I use "grow certain" in a sentence?

Use "grow certain" when you want to emphasize the process of gradually becoming more sure about something. For example: "As I researched the topic more, I began to grow certain of my conclusions."