grow up doing

USAGE SUMMARY

"grow up doing" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a verb phrase which can be used to refer to any activity or habit a person has had since childhood. For example, "I grew up doing gymnastics; it's been a part of my life for as long as I can remember."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Some of us grow up doing credible impressions of model citizens (though sooner or later hairline cracks appear in our facades).

The New York Times - Books

His kids will grow up doing the same thing, on this simple piece of land next to the two-lane highway.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's something you grow up doing," said Mazi Chiles, a junior at South Gwinnett High School in Snellville, Ga., who is black.

The New York Times - Style

"It's really odd to think about it, but I've watched children grow up doing this job.

HuffPost

That makes sense because gymnastics, to those who didn't grow up doing it, can seem impenetrably complicated.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

This article originally appeared on VICE US.

Vice

That is what growing up does to most young men.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet for No Doubt, growing up doesn't mean slowing down.

The New York Times - Arts

Only years later, kids grown up, did she give my father an ultimatum.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Growing up doesn't help.

Huffington Post

My teachers growing up did not.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grow up doing" to connect childhood experiences with present skills or interests. For instance, "I "grow up doing" a lot of sports, which has shaped my competitive spirit."

Common error

Avoid using "grow up doing" when you mean "grew up to be". "Grow up doing" indicates a continuous activity since childhood, whereas "grew up to be" describes a final profession or identity achieved after maturing. For example, say "She grew up to be a doctor" not "She "grow up doing" a doctor."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow up doing" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a present participle phrase acting as an adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates an ongoing activity or habit that someone has been engaged in since their childhood. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

HuffPost

12%

The New York Times

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

2%

Forbes

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grow up doing" is a grammatically sound and common verb phrase used to describe activities or habits established during one's formative years. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and versatile, fitting both formal and informal contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it serves to provide background information, connecting childhood experiences to present attributes. To avoid errors, ensure it's not confused with "grew up to be", which describes a later profession or identity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spend one's childhood doing

Focuses on the time spent during childhood on a particular activity.

be raised doing

Emphasizes the upbringing and how it involved certain activities.

have a background in

Highlights prior experience and training, often suggesting professional skills.

be accustomed to doing

Indicates familiarity and habituation with a specific action.

be familiar with

Suggests knowledge and experience, although it may not be continuous since childhood.

have a history of

Focuses on past involvement but doesn't necessarily imply it started in childhood.

start early with

Emphasizes the early commencement of an activity.

develop a habit of

Highlights how a habit was formed, not necessarily from childhood.

nurture a love for

Focuses on developing affection towards a particular activity or subject.

cultivate a passion for

Implies a deep and developed interest, though not necessarily from youth.

FAQs

How can I use "grow up doing" in a sentence?

Use "grow up doing" to describe activities or habits that you engaged in regularly during your childhood. For example, "I "grow up doing" chores around the house", or "She "grow up doing" ballet since she was five".

What's a good alternative to "grow up doing"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "spend one's childhood doing" or "be raised doing" to convey similar meanings.

Is it correct to say "I was grown up doing" instead of "I "grow up doing""?

No, "I was grown up doing" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing is "I "grow up doing"" to describe an ongoing activity from childhood, or "I grew up doing" to refer to a past activity.

What is the difference between "grow up doing" and "grow up to be"?

"Grow up doing" refers to activities you engaged in from childhood, while "grow up to be" refers to a profession or identity you achieve later in life. For example, "I "grow up doing" sports", but "I grew up to be a teacher".