grow over time

USAGE SUMMARY

'grow over time' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used to refer to something (usually something abstract such as knowledge or understanding) increasing or developing gradually over a period of time. For example: "As she gained more experience in her field, her knowledge of the subject matter grew over time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The deficit is expected to grow over time amid rising costs and sluggish revenue growth.

Los Angeles Times

There are algorithms for how quickly a tree will grow over time.

Vice

"People grow over time.

The Washington Post

Civil societies grow over time.

The Guardian - Opinion

But organizations change and grow over time".

The New York Times - Arts

But companies change and grow over time.

Harvard Business Review

"These wonderful results continue to expand and grow over time.

Stanford University

In this way, the community will steadily grow over time.

Columbia University

In the best sitcoms the characters grow over time.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But the number of affected plans would grow over time.

The New York Times

No. MITx will begin by offering a portfolio of selected courses, which will grow over time.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grow over time", consider specifying what is growing and under what conditions to provide context and clarity. For instance, "The company's market share grew over time due to its innovative products."

Common error

Avoid using "grow over time" as a generic placeholder for any increase. Instead, choose more specific verbs that better reflect the nature of the increase, such as "develop", "expand", or "accumulate", depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow over time" functions as a dynamic descriptor, indicating a gradual increase or development. It's used to show how something changes or progresses from one state to another. Ludwig examples show its use in describing the expansion of knowledge, the development of relationships, and the increase in financial values.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

28%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grow over time" is a versatile expression indicating a gradual increase or development, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically sound and commonly used across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. While it effectively conveys the concept of gradual change, writers should consider using more specific verbs to provide greater precision. Alternatives like "evolve over time" or "increase over time" can offer nuanced meanings depending on the specific context. As seen from Ludwig's examples, "grow over time" effectively communicates progressive development, making it a valuable tool in writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evolve over time

This alternative emphasizes the gradual development and change of something.

increase over time

This alternative focuses specifically on the quantitative aspect of becoming larger or more numerous.

expand over time

This suggests an increase in size, scope, or extent gradually.

develop gradually

This alternative emphasizes the slow and incremental nature of the development process.

progress steadily

This implies consistent and ongoing advancement.

mature gradually

This suggests a slow process of reaching full development or effectiveness.

accumulate incrementally

This alternative emphasizes the gradual addition of small amounts over a period.

build up slowly

This highlights the gradual accumulation of something, often with effort.

unfold gradually

This emphasizes the revealing or development of something over a period.

intensify gradually

This focuses on the increasing strength or degree of something over time.

FAQs

How can I use "grow over time" in a sentence?

You can use "grow over time" to describe a gradual increase or development. For example, "Her confidence "grew over time" as she gained experience."

What are some alternatives to "grow over time"?

You can use alternatives such as "evolve over time", "increase over time", or "develop gradually" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "grow over time" or "grew over time"?

The choice between "grow over time" and "grew over time" depends on the tense of the sentence. Use "grow over time" for present or future tense and "grew over time" for past tense. For example, "Skills "grow over time"" versus "Skills "grew over time"."

What's the difference between "grow over time" and "develop over time"?

"Grow over time" generally refers to an increase in size or quantity. "Develop over time" often implies a process of improvement or maturation. The best choice depends on the specific context.