growing thin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "growing thin" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is becoming less substantial, either in terms of physical appearance or resources. Example: "As the deadline approached, my patience was growing thin, and I found it hard to stay calm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

The cows are already growing thin.

The Guardian

(It was said that the sidewalk between the two newspapers was growing thin).

Encyclopedia Britannica

America: The line between the Pakistan and Afghan Taliban is also growing thin.

The New York Times

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel's patience was growing thin.

Independent

They have only minimum contracts to offer at this point, and the free-agent market is growing thin.

The New York Times - Sports

By the late 1960s the supply of wood sculptures that had defined the field for most collectors was growing thin.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Pawpaw stayed on the screen porch, smoking cigarettes and growing thinner.

The New Yorker

In contemporary Nashville, the line separating fact from fiction is thin and, with this show, growing thinner.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It is derived from a Latin root meaning a reduction of matter or wasting away (growing thinner).

The New Yorker

Seen either way, the sun looked like a fat crescent that was growing thinner by the minute.

The New York Times

Sunday congregations were thin and growing thinner — lost to TV, the home-improvement craze, and weekend jaunts in the new family car.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing emotional states, use "growing thin" to indicate a diminishing of patience, resolve, or tolerance. For example: "His patience was growing thin as the meeting dragged on."

Common error

Avoid using "growing thin" to describe something becoming physically smaller. Instead, use "shrinking" or "diminishing" for physical reductions. "Growing thin" implies a loss of substance or strength, not just size.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "growing thin" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe a state of diminishing quantity, quality, or intensity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form in written English. The phrase often modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a change in condition.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

28%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Science & Research

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "growing thin" is a versatile expression used to describe a gradual decrease in substance, quality, or intensity. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is a correct and usable phrase in English. Its common usage spans across diverse contexts, from physical descriptions to abstract concepts like patience. While grammatically straightforward, it's important to consider the nuances of the phrase to ensure accurate and effective communication. Avoid using it in situations where "shrinking" or "diminishing" would be more appropriate. By understanding these distinctions, writers can leverage the subtle power of "growing thin" to enrich their prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becoming scarce

Emphasizes the decreasing availability or supply of something.

running low

Focuses on the depletion of a resource or supply, often implying urgency.

dwindling

Suggests a gradual reduction in size, amount, or strength.

depleting

Highlights the process of using up or exhausting resources.

waning

Implies a decline in power, influence, or intensity.

shrinking

Refers to a decrease in physical size or extent.

fading

Indicates a gradual loss of visibility, strength, or importance.

attenuating

Describes the reduction in force, effect, or value.

tapering off

Suggests a gradual decrease or decline, often towards an end.

becoming depleted

Explicitly states the state of being exhausted or used up.

FAQs

How can "growing thin" be used in a sentence?

The phrase "growing thin" can describe something losing substance, like "The ice is growing thin", or someone losing weight or patience, like "He was growing thin from worry" or "My patience is growing thin".

What is a good alternative to "growing thin" when describing patience?

Alternatives include "running out of patience" or "losing patience". These phrases emphasize the depletion of one's ability to remain calm or tolerant.

Is it correct to say "the line is growing thin"?

Yes, it is correct. "The line is growing thin" suggests that the distinction between two things is becoming less clear, like "The line between reality and virtual reality is growing thin".

What's the difference between "growing thin" and "losing weight"?

"Growing thin" often implies a gradual loss of substance or strength in addition to physical weight, while "losing weight" specifically refers to a reduction in body mass. For instance, someone "growing thin" might be unwell, whereas "losing weight" could be intentional and healthy.