grow for something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grow for something" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to express a desire to develop or improve in relation to a specific goal or purpose, but it is not a commonly used expression. Example: "We need to grow for our future success in the market."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This transitive use of "grow" for something other than crops is described by the stylebook as "business jargon, best resisted".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Thus, any program for controlling residues of fumonisin (FB) in food must recognize that most of the crop is grown for something other than food.

Environmental Health Perspectives

But this is also one of the world's most rapidly aging societies, and there is a growing need for something or someone to entertain its growing ranks of retirees.

The New York Times

But it is also one of the world's most rapidly aging societies, and there is a growing need for something or someone to entertain its growing ranks of retirees.

The New York Times

But Bharadwaj says there is a growing demand for something different.

Independent

I imagine he'd simply grown desperate for something less decadent and wayward — a self-imposed hiatus from a life style that he knew could devastate him.

The New Yorker

If, however, the transition from one decade to the next is accompanied by nagging thoughts, feelings of discontent and growing desire for something which remains undefined and elusive, then its time to be still and listen!

WikiHow

"That is something that I would like to grow for sure".

The New York Times - Food

Three weeks ago, I transplanted a seven-inch tomato plant to a sunny spot in the garden, gave it a handful of compost, and watched it grow into something fit for a jungle, with four-foot arms and oodles of fruit and blossoms.

The New York Times

They are paid 42 cents an hour, standard prison wages, for 10-hour workdays that involve sometimes tedious tasks like monitoring the frogs' water temperature or harvesting the hundreds of crickets grown for frog food — something that even an oppressed graduate student might avoid at real wages.

The New York Times

"That's not going to happen, but if the site keeps escalating, maybe in six months it'll grow into something very profitable for everybody".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing development with a specific aim, consider using stronger verbs like "develop", "cultivate", or "expand" combined with phrases that clearly indicate the intended purpose, such as "develop for a purpose" or "expand to achieve".

Common error

Be cautious about using "grow" transitively in contexts where it may be considered business jargon or lack clarity. Refrain from using the phrase "grow for something" because it's not grammatically correct. Instead, opt for more precise alternatives such as "develop for a purpose".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow for something" functions as a prepositional phrase, aiming to express a purpose or intention behind growth. However, according to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered incorrect in standard written English. The intent is to show development towards a specific objective.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "grow for something" attempts to convey the idea of development directed towards a specific purpose, it is considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI advises against its use in standard written English. More precise and grammatically sound alternatives, such as "develop for a purpose" or "expand to achieve", should be favored to ensure clarity. The phrase appears infrequently and is more common in informal contexts, such as news media, but should be avoided in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

develop for a purpose

Replaces "grow" with "develop", focusing on intentional advancement toward a defined goal.

cultivate for a reason

Emphasizes careful nurturing toward a specific objective, using "cultivate" instead of "grow".

expand to achieve

Highlights growth as a means to accomplish something, substituting "grow" with "expand".

flourish in order to

Suggests thriving as a necessary step toward a goal, replacing "grow" with "flourish".

improve with the aim of

Focuses on betterment directed at a specific target, differing from general growth.

advance towards an objective

Implies strategic movement toward a defined aim, rather than simple increase.

evolve to meet the needs

Conveys adaptation to fulfill requirements, using "evolve" in place of "grow".

mature with the intention of

Emphasizes progressive development oriented toward a specific goal.

progress to accomplish

Highlights advancement geared toward achieving a defined outcome, distinct from mere growth.

rise to achieve

Suggests elevating oneself in order to attain a specific result, departing from basic expansion.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "grow for something" to improve clarity?

Consider using phrases like "develop for a purpose", "cultivate with a goal in mind", or "expand to achieve" to express a clear intention behind the growth.

What is a grammatically sound alternative to "grow for something"?

Instead of "grow for something", opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "grow toward something" or "develop with a specific aim". These phrases ensure clarity and adhere to standard English conventions.

Is "grow for something" considered acceptable in formal writing?

No, "grow for something" is generally not considered acceptable in formal or professional writing. It's better to use more precise and grammatically correct alternatives like "develop for a purpose".

In what contexts might "grow for something" be misunderstood?

"Grow for something" might be misunderstood in contexts where the purpose or objective of the growth isn't immediately clear. To avoid confusion, specify the intended outcome with phrases like "grow towards a specific goal" or "cultivate for a defined purpose".