growing up doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "growing up doing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe activities or experiences that someone engaged in during their childhood or formative years. Example: "Growing up doing sports helped me develop discipline and teamwork skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He told me: "Growing up doing those Kiwanis Clubs, doing those Cub Scout banquets, doing those church shows, I learned to find that sensibility that most people could laugh at — that all ages and demographics could laugh at".

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

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

Growing up doesn't help.

Huffington Post

My teachers growing up did not.

HuffPost

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

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This article originally appeared on VICE US.

Vice

Acting more grown up doesn't mean smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol.

WikiHow

Growing up did you always have this idea and vision?

Harvard University

Q. Growing up, did you ever think, "One day I'll direct a ballet company"?

The New York Times - Arts

When you were growing up did you have books in your home?

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "growing up doing", ensure the context clearly indicates that the activity was a regular part of the person's childhood experience. This helps to convey a sense of familiarity and long-term engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "growing up doing" to describe one-time events or activities that weren't a consistent part of someone's upbringing. This phrase implies a habitual, formative experience rather than a singular occurrence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "growing up doing" functions as a gerund phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun by describing an activity that was a regular part of someone's childhood or formative years. As Ludwig AI says, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "growing up doing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe habitual activities during childhood. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most commonly found in News & Media, neutral in register, and serves to provide context about a person's background. While versatile, it's best used to describe consistent, formative experiences rather than one-time events. Related phrases like "raised on" and "brought up with" offer alternative ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raised on

Focuses on the environment and upbringing, highlighting what someone was accustomed to from a young age.

brought up with

Emphasizes the upbringing and the values or activities instilled during childhood.

childhood activities included

Directly lists the activities, providing a more descriptive and less idiomatic alternative.

early years involved

Highlights the activities as part of the early developmental period.

spent my youth

Focuses on the period of youth and how time was spent.

from a young age

Indicates the starting point of engaging in certain activities or habits.

as a child

Offers a simple and direct reference to activities done during childhood.

in my formative years

Refers to the crucial period of development when habits and interests are formed.

during my upbringing

Emphasizes the role of upbringing in shaping activities and experiences.

growing up I practiced

A slightly more formal way to describe regular activities in childhood.

FAQs

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

You can use "growing up doing" to describe habitual activities during childhood. For example, "Growing up doing chores taught me responsibility".

What are some alternatives to "growing up doing"?

Alternatives include phrases like "raised on", "brought up with", or "childhood activities included" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "growing up doing something"?

Yes, "growing up doing" is grammatically correct. It functions as a gerund phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, describing an activity regularly performed during childhood.

What's the difference between "growing up doing" and "when I was growing up"?

"Growing up doing" emphasizes the habitual nature of an activity during childhood, while "when I was growing up" sets a timeframe but doesn't necessarily imply regular engagement. You can use both to express simultaneous habitual action during childhood for example "when I was growing up I played" .