was able to grow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was able to grow" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone or something successfully developed or increased in size, quantity, or ability in the past. Example: "Despite the challenges, the company was able to grow its customer base significantly last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was able to grow.

The New York Times - Sports

"The space was able to grow with us".

The New York Times

Dr. Davis was able to grow a generation of corn borers every month.

The New York Times - Science

He was able to grow a beard on just a tiny patch of chin.

The New Yorker

BATS was able to grow rapidly last year while investing a mere $8m.

The Economist

I still love this country, and I am still grateful I was able to grow up here.

The Guardian

But I was able to grow and stand tall.

BBC

Each strain was able to grow and mineralize the available organic matter.

Applied Soil Ecology

Candida tropicalis PHB5 was able to grow on 4-chlorophenol and to metabolize this substrate.

International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation

In addition, the biosurfactant-producing bacterium was able to grow on the different hydrocarbons.

Bioresources and Bioprocessing

Yet on thermotolerance, it is noteworthy that only R. oryzae NBRC 5384 was able to grow up to 50 °C.

Bioresources and Bioprocessing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was able to grow", ensure the context clearly indicates what specifically experienced growth or development. Be precise about the subject and the nature of its growth.

Common error

Avoid using "was able to grow" without specifying the limits or extent of the growth. Overgeneralizations can lead to vagueness and lack of clarity. Be specific about the parameters of growth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was able to grow" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the past capability or successful execution of growth or development. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression in English. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was able to grow" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, used to describe successful past growth or development. It finds frequent application in both scientific and news contexts, indicating its broad applicability. While the phrase is straightforward, ensuring clarity by specifying the subject and nature of growth is essential. Alternatives such as "managed to expand" or "succeeded in growing" can provide nuanced variations in meaning, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

managed to expand

Focuses on the successful expansion or enlargement achieved.

succeeded in growing

Emphasizes the successful outcome of the growth process.

could develop

Highlights the potential or capacity for development in the past.

had the capacity to mature

Implies an inherent potential for maturing or reaching a more advanced stage.

experienced growth

Simply states that growth occurred or was undergone.

saw an increase in

Indicates a rise or augmentation in quantity or extent.

expanded successfully

Highlights both the act of expanding and the success of the endeavor.

was capable of developing

Emphasizes the inherent ability or competence to develop.

had the opportunity to flourish

Stresses the availability of favorable conditions for thriving and developing.

prospered

Indicates a state of thriving, flourishing, or having success.

FAQs

How can I use "was able to grow" in a sentence?

Use "was able to grow" to describe a past event or situation where something successfully increased in size, number, or ability. For example, "The company was able to grow its revenue despite the economic downturn."

What are some alternatives to "was able to grow"?

You can use alternatives like "managed to expand", "succeeded in growing", or "could develop" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "was able to grow" and "grew"?

"Was able to grow" emphasizes the capacity or ability to grow, whereas "grew" simply states that growth occurred. "Was able to grow" can imply that growth was achieved despite some challenge or obstacle.

When is it more appropriate to use "was able to grow" instead of "grew"?

Use "was able to grow" when you want to highlight the effort, ability, or circumstances that enabled growth to happen. "Grew" is suitable when you simply want to state the fact that growth occurred without focusing on the process or ability.