grow in length

USAGE SUMMARY

"grow in length" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something increasing in size or duration over time. Example: Over the course of the summer, the plants in the garden began to grow in length, stretching towards the sun and reaching new heights.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

At a certain stage in their life cycle, woody plants cease to grow in length and begin to add to their girth, or width.

Encyclopedia Britannica

How cold?' and 'What's it going to be like for the next five days?' " Mr. Baskerville, the weatherman, was told to shorten his reports, although he was assured they would grow in length and prominence in cases of severe weather.

The New York Times

There's just space to tell you about the mating rituals of earthworms (did you know that some can grow in length to 30ft?), which, because both male and female produce sperm and eggs, go through an incredibly complicated ritual of impregnating each other at both ends.

The Guardian - Books

Wind turbine blades continue to grow in length to extract more energy from the wind.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

These polymers grow in length by the addition of newly oxidised dye radicals.

Applied Water Science

As a result, the NW cannot grow in length any more, but overgrowth on the sidewalls occurs.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Best of all, the day is still growing in length, the solstice still a couple of weeks away.

The New York Times

Though her stories have gradually grown in length (the shortest in the forthcoming book is more than 7,000 words long), there remains only the one full-length novel.

The Guardian - Books

Frank - wry and sweet, perceptive yet obtuse - is never anything other than insistently himself, even as the books enclosing him have changed, growing in length and complexity.

The Guardian - Books

As the chapter ceased seeming peculiar, it also grew in length; the average Victorian chapter was around thirty-five hundroughlyds, roughly twice the eighteenth-century norm.

The New Yorker

In the past decade, the RAV4 has bulked up and grown in length, but its design has not exactly been a trendsetter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grow in length" to describe processes or abstract concepts that are increasing over time, but ensure that context relates specifically to the linear dimension of time and duration.

Common error

Avoid using "grow in length" when describing overall size increase; instead, use phrases like "grow in size" or "increase in size". "Grow in length" is most appropriate when referring to a linear dimension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow in length" functions as a verb phrase describing the process of something increasing in its linear dimension. It indicates a change over time, as seen in the Ludwig examples related to plants, cells, and physical objects.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

26%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grow in length" is a verb phrase used to describe the process of something increasing its linear dimension over time. Ludwig AI validates that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across different contexts, from science to news. While not as common as other phrases like "increase in size", it provides specific detail about dimensional changes. When writing, ensure that "grow in length" is used when specifically discussing linear expansion and avoid using it for general size increases. Consider alternatives like "increase in length" for more formal or technical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase in length

Focuses on the measurable change rather than the process of growth.

expand in length

Highlights the idea of increasing size in a specific dimension.

extend in length

Emphasizes the action of making something longer.

lengthen

A verb that means to make or become longer.

elongate

A more formal and concise way to express becoming longer.

stretch out

Suggests a pulling or expanding action to become longer.

become longer

A simpler and more direct way of expressing the same idea.

draw out

Implies prolonging or extending something, often in a non-physical sense.

protract

A more formal term for extending something in time or space.

swell in length

Suggests an increase in length accompanied by an increase in volume or width.

FAQs

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

You can use "grow in length" to describe something that is increasing in its linear dimension. For example: "The roots will grow in length to find more water."

What is a synonym for "grow in length"?

Alternatives to "grow in length" include "increase in length", "extend in length", or "become longer".

When is it appropriate to use "grow in length" instead of "grow in size"?

"Grow in length" is specific to linear dimensions. Use "grow in size" for general increases in dimensions. For instance, "The vine will grow in length", but "The company will grow in size".

Is there a difference between "grow in length" and "increase in length"?

While similar, "grow in length" implies a process of natural development, while "increase in length" simply indicates a measured change. For instance, “The hair will grow in length over time,” versus “The bridge increased in length after the expansion joint was added”.