growing up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'growing up' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the process of becoming an adult or the experiences one goes through during childhood or adolescence. For example, "I remember fondly all the memories I made while growing up in a small town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We're growing up".

The New York Times - Sports

Growing up in Philadelphia.

The New York Times

We're still growing up".

The New York Times - Magazine

He was growing up.

The New Yorker

Growing up, I did.

Independent

Growing up isn't easy.

The New York Times

"Growing Up": "Votes": "Rombo":.

The New Yorker

"That's part of growing up".

The New York Times

Growing up, Kaepernick played baseball.

The New York Times - Sports

"Wednesday's growing up," Morticia says.

The New York Times

It's from growing up poor.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing personal experiences, use "growing up" to add a relatable and nostalgic tone. For example, "Growing up, I always dreamed of becoming a writer".

Common error

Avoid using "growing up" when referring to inanimate objects or abstract concepts unless you are using it metaphorically. For example, it's more appropriate to say a company is "developing" rather than "growing up" unless personifying it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "growing up" functions primarily as a verb phrase, acting as a present participle describing an ongoing process of maturation. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms this through numerous examples where it describes experiences during childhood or the process of becoming an adult.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

13%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

7%

The New Yorker

7%

The Guardian

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "growing up" is a common verb phrase that refers to the process of maturing from childhood to adulthood. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in personal narratives and observations. While its register is generally neutral, leaning toward informal, its frequent occurrence in news and media highlights its broad applicability. When using this phrase, be mindful of its scope, ensuring it appropriately refers to maturation processes and not inanimate objects or abstract concepts unless used metaphorically.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maturing

Focuses on the process of becoming more mature, often implying emotional or intellectual development.

coming of age

Specifically refers to the transition from childhood to adulthood, often highlighting significant experiences.

maturing into adulthood

More specific and emphasizes the progression toward adulthood.

developing

A broader term indicating advancement or evolution, applicable to various subjects, not just people.

evolving

Suggests a gradual transformation or change over time, often implying adaptation.

progressing

Implies a forward movement or improvement in a general sense.

advancing in years

Highlights the passage of time and the associated changes, particularly aging.

flourishing

Similar to blooming, but can also imply success and prosperity in addition to personal growth.

blooming

Evokes a sense of flourishing and reaching one's full potential, often used metaphorically.

ripening

Analogous to the development of fruit, implying a natural progression to a state of readiness or completion.

FAQs

How can I use "growing up" in a sentence?

"Growing up" can be used to describe the period of childhood and adolescence, such as "growing up in the country was a unique experience", or to indicate maturing, as in "He's "growing up fast"".

What are some alternatives to "growing up"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "growing up" include "maturing", "coming of age", or "developing".

Is it correct to use "grow up" instead of "growing up"?

While "grow up" is the base verb form, "growing up" is the present participle, used in continuous tenses or as a gerund. For example, "I want to grow up to be a doctor" versus "growing up was difficult".

What's the difference between "growing up" and "growth"?

"Growing up" refers specifically to the process of maturing or developing, typically in humans. "Growth", on the other hand, is a broader term referring to an increase in size or development, applicable to various contexts like "economic growth" or "population growth".