grows up to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grows up to" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to talk about the development or future potential of a person or thing. Example: "Sally is a talented musician and everyone believes she will grow up to be a famous singer." In this sentence, "grows up to" is used to express the idea that Sally has the potential to become a famous singer in the future.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lulu grows up to be a doctor.

The New York Times - Books

Grows up to 2.5m tall.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In fact, her baby grows up to be a doctor.

The New York Times - Science

It grows up to 1 m (3 feet) high.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A financial infrastructure grows up to support global supply chains.

The Economist

Henry grows up to become an adept commercial artist.

The New York Times - Books

Every kitten grows up to be a cat.

The New Yorker

She grows up to follow the regiment as a vivandière.

The Guardian - Music

Who grows up to be a professional-grade crossing guard?

The New York Times

She learns, as she grows up, to look after nature.

The Guardian

Not every child grows up to adore their parent's work.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grows up to" when describing the expected future state or potential of something or someone based on their current development.

Common error

Avoid using "grows up to" in contexts where a simple increase in size or quantity is meant. Instead, use phrases like "increases to" or "reaches".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grows up to" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of development or transformation leading to a future state. It describes how someone or something evolves over time, eventually reaching a particular outcome. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which show the phrase used in various contexts to describe potential futures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grows up to" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the expected future state or potential of something or someone. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to avoid misusing it for simple size increases, opting for alternatives like "increases to". Remember, "grows up to" implies a developmental process over time, leading to a specific outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

develops into

Highlights the gradual process of growth and transformation.

matures into

Focuses on the process of becoming more developed or advanced.

turns into

Suggests a transformation or change in state.

becomes

A simpler way of expressing the final state or outcome.

ends up being

Emphasizes the eventual result, often after a series of events.

evolves into

Implies a more complex or natural progression.

progresses to

Focuses on forward movement and advancement.

culminates in

Highlights the final, decisive point of development.

ascends to

Implies a rise in status or position.

reaches the point of

Indicates achieving a specific level or condition.

FAQs

How can I use "grows up to" in a sentence?

Use "grows up to" to describe the potential future state of someone or something. For example, "The small seed "grows up to" be a tall tree."

What is a good alternative to "grows up to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "matures into", "develops into", or "becomes".

Is it correct to say "grow up to be" or "grows up to be"?

Both are correct, but "grow up to be" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "Children grow up to be adults"), while "grows up to be" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "He grows up to be a doctor").

What's the difference between "grows up to be" and "becomes"?

"Grows up to be" implies a gradual process of development over time, whereas "becomes" is a more general term indicating a change in state or condition.