grow wildly

USAGE SUMMARY

"grow wildly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is growing rapidly and out of control. For example, "The weed grew wildly and overtook the garden."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Cancer cells depend on this mechanism to grow wildly.

The New York Times

(It likely arose from the fact that compass readings grow wildly erratic near the poles).

The New Yorker

Cancer cells can grow wildly; they can travel through the bloodstream to find distant organs to colonize; they can take over blood vessels.

The New Yorker

When predators disappear, for example, deer and other browsers can grow wildly in number and damage plant populations, wipe out ground nesting birds and cause erosion from overgrazing.

The New York Times - Science

Inside, the half of the city that was not leveled by tanks and fighting was semi-functioning: the shrubbery in the center of the road had been left to grow wildly, but a bus passed through to collect a few people lingering.

The New York Times

Customers that grow wildly will see a better value in moving off AWS.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

This was Las Vegas before the city began growing wildly.

The New York Times

The number of debtors in New York, like just about everything else, was growing wildly.

The New Yorker

Nerve fibers in the animals' brains grew wildly, and the mice had unusual behaviors, reminiscent of autism.

The New York Times - Health

He said the internet had grown wildly, and urgently needed to be cleaned up and put in order.

Independent

Amid all the other tropical plants growing wildly around and into each other, the branches are hard to see at first sight.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotation of "grow wildly". It can suggest a negative outcome due to the uncontrolled nature of the growth, so ensure it aligns with your intended meaning.

Common error

While "grow wildly" is acceptable, overuse in academic or professional writing might be perceived as informal. Alternatives like "increase exponentially" or "expand rapidly" might be more appropriate depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow wildly" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which something grows. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is both correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grow wildly" is a grammatically sound and usable adverbial phrase that describes rapid and uncontrolled growth. As Ludwig AI has confirmed, it finds application across diverse sources, predominantly within News & Media and Science. While generally neutral in tone, its usage tends towards informal, suggesting caution in overly formal contexts. To enhance clarity or formality, alternatives like "expand rapidly" or "increase exponentially" may prove more fitting. The phrase is relatively uncommon, yet potent in conveying the intended meaning of unrestrained and swift development.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grow rampantly

Implies unchecked and excessive growth, often with negative connotations.

increase exponentially

Focuses on the mathematical aspect of very rapid growth.

spread uncontrollably

Emphasizes the lack of regulation or restraint in the growth.

expand rapidly

A more general term for quick growth, lacking the connotation of being out of control.

proliferate quickly

Suggests a rapid increase in number or amount.

flourish vigorously

Implies healthy and strong growth, but may not necessarily be uncontrolled.

develop unchecked

Highlights the absence of regulation or oversight during the development.

ascend swiftly

Suggests quick vertical growth or rise, applicable to abstract concepts like popularity or influence.

boom considerably

Suggests a sudden and substantial increase in activity or success.

snowball dramatically

Implies growth that accelerates as it progresses, accumulating more impact.

FAQs

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

You can use "grow wildly" to describe something that is increasing rapidly and often uncontrollably. For example, "The weeds in the garden grew wildly after the rain."

What can I say instead of "grow wildly"?

You can use alternatives like "expand rapidly", "increase exponentially", or "spread uncontrollably" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "grow wildly" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "grow wildly" might be considered less formal. In academic or professional contexts, consider using alternatives such as "increase substantially" or "expand significantly".

What is the difference between "grow wildly" and "grow rapidly"?

"Grow rapidly" simply indicates fast growth. "Grow wildly" implies not only rapid growth but also a lack of control or order, often suggesting a more chaotic or undesirable situation.