grow to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"grow to be" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used when speaking of someone's growth or development over time, as in the phrase, "He grew to be a successful businessman."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When did she grow to be this tall?

The New York Times

When did they grow to be this tall?

The New York Times

"We will grow to be conquerors of the space".

The New York Times

Males can grow to be over 6ft long.

Independent

In central London the overcrowding will grow to be overwhelming".

The Guardian

When did they grow to be so tall?

The New York Times

The tree itself can grow to be about 30 feet.

The New York Times

Hemlocks can grow to be up to 175 ft tall.

Cornell University

The vines could grow to be 13 feet long.

Stanford University

I had no idea it would grow to be as big as it has".

The New York Times - Sports

"You can't grow to be a global auction house if you do something irregular".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grow to be" when you want to emphasize a process of development or transformation over time. For example, "The small seed will grow to be a mighty oak."

Common error

Avoid using "grow to be" when a simpler verb like "become" or "turn into" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow to be" functions as an infinitive phrase, often acting as part of a verb phrase to describe a future state achieved through a process of development. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it indicates a transformation or progression over time. Examples show it describing physical growth, personal development, and the evolution of situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grow to be" is a versatile and commonly used expression signifying development or transformation over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. It functions primarily as part of a verb phrase, indicating a future state achieved through a process. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academic contexts, it maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. While useful for emphasizing progression, avoid overusing it in place of simpler alternatives like "become". Use Ludwig's examples for inspiration on incorporating it effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

develop into

Focuses on the outcome of a developmental process.

evolve into

Suggests a more gradual and natural transformation.

mature into

Emphasizes the achievement of full development.

become

A simpler and more direct synonym for reaching a state of being.

turn into

Implies a change in form or nature.

progress to be

Highlights the advancement towards a specific state.

transform into

Indicates a significant and often dramatic change.

flourish into

Suggests a thriving and successful development.

advance to be

Emphasizes forward movement in development.

ascend to be

Implies rising to a higher level or status.

FAQs

How can I use "grow to be" in a sentence?

"Grow to be" is used to describe a process of development or transformation over time. For example, "She hopes her startup will "grow to be" a successful company."

What are some alternatives to "grow to be"?

Alternatives to "grow to be" include phrases like "develop into", "evolve into", or simply "become" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "grow to be" and "become"?

While "become" is a direct synonym, "grow to be" often implies a more gradual or developmental process. "Become" simply indicates a change of state.

When is it best to use "grow to be" instead of "become"?

Use "grow to be" when you want to emphasize the progression or transformation that leads to a final state, rather than just the end result. For example, "The caterpillar will "grow to be" a butterfly" highlights the stages of metamorphosis.