grown to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grown to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual development or change in a person's character, status, or situation over time. Example: "Over the years, she has grown to be a confident leader in her field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I've grown to be just be like, You know what?

The New Yorker

The loved child had grown to be a love addict.

The New Yorker

"We're too grown to be intimidated," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

She has grown to be her own harshest critic.

The New York Times - Sports

Telecommuting has grown to be a part of normal work practice especially in the software industry.

University of California, Berkeley

Cyber attacks have also grown to be more sophisticated and harder to detect.

Ad Hoc Networks

Julian Assange tells SXSW audience: 'NSA has grown to be a rogue agency'.

The Guardian - Tech

In the decades since, the foundations have grown to be powerful institutions.

The New York Times

The original Orange Book has grown to be caricatured, he says.

The Guardian

Since then it has grown to be one of the most visited parks in the city.

The Guardian - Travel

Amazon.com has grown to be the most successful merchant on the Internet, with 3.1 million customers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the subject undergoing the change is capable of development. It's more fitting to say "a child has grown to be tall" than "a rock has grown to be large."

Common error

Avoid using "grown to be" for sudden or immediate changes. This phrase is better suited for processes that unfold gradually over time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grown to be" functions as a linking verb phrase that connects a subject with a predicate adjective or noun, indicating a state of becoming over time. As Ludwig AI highlights, it describes a gradual development or change.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grown to be" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the gradual development or transformation of a subject over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, from news and media to academia and science. The analysis shows that while it is suitable for both formal and informal settings, it is crucial to use it appropriately to indicate a gradual process rather than a sudden change. Remember that alternatives like "developed into" or "evolved into" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evolved into

Focuses on a gradual change, often implying adaptation or improvement.

developed into

Suggests a process of maturation or increased complexity.

matured into

Emphasizes the achievement of full potential or a more complete state.

transformed into

Implies a significant change in form or appearance.

became

A simple and direct way to express a change in state or condition.

turned into

Suggests a change that was unexpected or surprising.

progressed to be

Highlights advancement or forward movement in development.

risen to be

Implies achievement and overcoming challenges in the process.

flourished into

Suggests thriving and successful growth.

expanded to be

Focuses on growth in size, scope, or influence.

FAQs

How can I use "grown to be" in a sentence?

Use "grown to be" to describe a gradual development or transformation. For example, "Over time, the small village has "grown to be" a bustling city."

What are some alternatives to "grown to be"?

You can use alternatives such as "developed into", "evolved into", or "matured into" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "growed to be" instead of "grown to be"?

No, "growed" is not the correct past participle of "grow". The correct form is "grown", so the correct phrase is ""grown to be"".

What's the difference between "grown to be" and "became"?

"Grown to be" implies a gradual process of development, whereas "became" suggests a more immediate or less gradual change. Using ""grown to be"" emphasizes the progression over time.