while they were growing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while they were growing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or events that occurred during the process of growth or development of someone or something. Example: "While they were growing, the children learned valuable life lessons from their parents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Then he came back in touch with Lorraine Innes, the daughter of a family that had been friendly with his while they were growing up.

The New York Times

I asked Stewart about his memories of Ellison while they were growing up together.

The New Yorker

"While they were growing up all they heard was this bad stuff about Clinton – the damage has been done".

The Guardian

Some will try to recreate exactly what they ate for Thanksgiving year after year while they were growing up.

The New York Times

Diane, a later suit claimed, "on repeated occasions, psychologically and sexually abused her siblings while they were growing up".

The New York Times

We developed a scanning Hall probe microscope (SHPM) equipped with a GaAs film sensor and observed fatigue cracks at room temperature in air while they were growing.

International Journal of Fatigue

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Cells were grown for further 2 h at 37°C, in the case of OBP18, while they were grown overnight at 30°C for OBP16 expression.

BMC Genomics

Most children and young people can rely on the constant support of their parents while they are growing up.

The Guardian

Secondly, you need to feed all your herbs in containers with liquid seaweed (or worm tea) while they are growing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Some of the early regulars were just fine, and today some of the newcomers to the cast need a little tolerance while they're growing into their roles.

The New York Times - Arts

Stereotypes and page 3 A brief look at how society perceives boys and girls while they're growing up and how this can affect their brain.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a continuous process of change or learning, use "while they were growing" to emphasize the simultaneous nature of events. For example, "While they were growing, they learned valuable lessons about resilience."

Common error

Avoid using "while they were growing" without a clear reference point or comparison. For example, instead of just saying "While they were growing, things changed," specify "While they were growing, the family's financial situation improved significantly."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while they were growing" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by indicating when an action or state occurred. It describes the period during which someone or something was developing. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

23%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "while they were growing" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial clause used to provide temporal context to an event occurring during a period of development. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various domains, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Academia. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse writing styles. To enhance your writing, use this phrase to highlight the simultaneous nature of events during development, but avoid vague or incomplete comparisons. Consider alternatives like "during their formative years" or "as they developed" for specific nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when they were young

Simple and direct, focusing on the age at which the growth occurred.

as they developed

Uses a simpler verb to convey the idea of growth, suitable for describing physical, mental, or emotional development.

throughout their development

Emphasizes the entire process of development from one stage to another.

as they matured

Implies a more complete and refined form of development, often referring to emotional or intellectual growth.

as they progressed

Highlights forward movement and advancement, applicable to various kinds of growth.

during their formative years

Replaces "while they were growing" with a more specific reference to the years of development, emphasizing the impact on character and personality.

during the period of their growth

More formal and descriptive, specifying the growth phase clearly.

during their childhood

Highlights the period of childhood as the time of growth and development.

in their youth

Focuses on the period of being young, often implying experiences or changes during that time.

in their early lives

Broader term that encompasses the initial stages of existence, not just the growing phase.

FAQs

How can I use "while they were growing" in a sentence?

Use "while they were growing" to describe events or changes that happened during someone's developmental years. For instance, "While they were growing, they developed a strong sense of empathy."

What can I say instead of "while they were growing"?

Alternatives include "during their formative years", "as they developed", or "in their youth", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Which is correct: "while they were growing" or "when they grew up"?

"While they were growing" emphasizes the continuous process of development, whereas "when they grew up" focuses on the state after the developmental period is complete.

What's the difference between "while they were growing" and "as they were raised"?

"While they were growing" refers to the general period of development, whereas "as they were raised" specifically refers to the upbringing and nurturing they received.