grow stale

USAGE SUMMARY

"grow stale" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation that has become bored, tiresome, or stagnant. For example, "After a few months in the same job, the days started to grow stale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Connections will grow stale, like breadcrusts.

The Economist

Many artists grow stale as they grow older.

The Economist

Not every religion can take a joke so well.Just occasionally, a libretto may grow stale.

The Economist

Mr Koizumi must be wondering if he also will too quickly grow stale.

The Economist

What was really intriguing, flipping between them, is how quickly revolutions in our culture grow stale.

The New York Times

I go back to Bishop often, and her poems never grow stale.

The Guardian - Books

He does not like to play more than three tournaments in a row, lest his game grow stale.

The New York Times - Sports

In it, he ventures to explain why we allow our love lives to grow stale and dull.

The New York Times - Books

Many of those are special issues with nonnews covers, designed not to grow stale in two weeks on newsstands.

The New York Times

The challenge of performing singspiels today is what to do with the spoken dialogue, which tends to grow stale much faster than music.

The New York Times - Arts

Moreover, much remains to be discovered and explained, and a complicated review of an unresolved subject in flux could grow stale fast.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grow stale" to describe situations, ideas, or relationships that have lost their novelty and become uninteresting or unproductive. It's often effective when discussing creative work, professional environments, or personal connections.

Common error

While "grow stale" is widely understood, it can sometimes sound informal in highly professional or academic contexts. Consider stronger, more precise alternatives like "become obsolete" or "lose relevance" for a more impactful effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow stale" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of decline or loss of freshness. As Ludwig AI states, it correctly describes a situation becoming bored, tiresome, or stagnant.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "grow stale" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something losing its freshness or appeal. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, although more formal writing might benefit from stronger, more precise alternatives. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it effectively conveys a negative change over time. When using "grow stale", consider the specific nuance you want to express, and choose the most appropriate alternative if a more formal tone is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lose freshness

Directly addresses the loss of novelty or vibrancy.

become uninteresting

Highlights the lack of appeal or engaging quality.

lose its appeal

Highlights the diminishing attractiveness or interest of something.

become tedious

Focuses on the aspect of becoming boring or monotonous.

become stagnant

Highlights the lack of progress or movement.

become outdated

Emphasizes the aspect of no longer being current or relevant.

lose its edge

Implies a decline in effectiveness or sharpness.

turn sour

Implies a negative change or decline, similar to food going bad.

become routine

Focuses on the aspect of predictability and lack of excitement.

fall into disuse

Focuses on the aspect of no longer being used or practiced.

FAQs

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

You can use "grow stale" to describe anything that loses its freshness or appeal over time. For example, "The initial excitement about the project began to "grow stale" after several months".

What are some alternatives to "grow stale"?

Alternatives to "grow stale" include "become tedious", "lose its appeal", or "become outdated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something "grew staled" instead of "grew stale"?

No, the correct form is "grew stale". "Stale" is an adjective describing the state of something, so it doesn't need to be put in the past tense.

What's the difference between "grow stale" and "become obsolete"?

"Grow stale" generally refers to a loss of interest or freshness, while "become obsolete" implies that something is no longer useful or relevant due to being outdated or replaced. The former focuses on appeal, the latter on functionality.