Grew vs Grow: When to Opt for One Term Over Another

Are you confused about when to use “grew” and when to use “grow”? You’re not alone. These two words can be tricky to differentiate, but fear not! We’re here to help clear things up.

First off, let’s establish which of the two is the proper word. “Grew” is the past tense of “grow,” while “grow” is the present tense. In other words, “grew” refers to something that happened in the past, while “grow” refers to something that is happening now or will happen in the future.

To be more specific, “grew” means that something increased or developed in the past. For example, “The tree grew taller over the years.” On the other hand, “grow” means that something is currently increasing or developing, or will in the future. For example, “The plant will grow bigger with proper care.”

Now that we’ve established the difference between the two words, let’s dive deeper into their usage and explore some common mistakes people make when using them.

Define Grew

Grew is the past tense of the verb “grow,” which means to increase in size, amount, or degree. It is a regular verb that takes the -ed ending to form the past tense. For example, “The tree grew taller every year,” or “I grew tired of waiting.”

Define Grow

Grow is a verb that means to develop or increase in size, amount, or degree. It is an irregular verb that does not follow a specific pattern in its conjugation. For example, “The plants will grow quickly in the sunshine,” or “I want to grow my business by expanding into new markets.”

Grow can also refer to the act of cultivating or producing something. For instance, “I grow my own vegetables in my backyard,” or “The company is looking to grow its customer base through targeted marketing.”

Additionally, grow can be used figuratively to describe personal development or progress. For example, “She has grown into a confident and capable leader,” or “I hope to grow as a writer by practicing every day.”

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to writing, using the correct form of a word is crucial to effectively convey your message. In this article, we will discuss the differences between “grew” and “grow” and how to properly use them in a sentence.

How To Use “Grew” In A Sentence

“Grew” is the past tense of the verb “grow.” It is used to describe something that has already happened or a change that has occurred in the past. Here are some examples:

• My business grew by 50% last year.
• She grew up in a small town in the Midwest.
• He grew tired of waiting for her.

In each of these examples, “grew” is used to describe a change that has already taken place. It is important to note that “grew” should only be used in the past tense.

How To Use “Grow” In A Sentence

“Grow” is the present tense of the verb “grow.” It is used to describe something that is currently happening or will happen in the future. Here are some examples:

• The plants in my garden are growing quickly.
• We need to grow our customer base in order to succeed.
• She hopes to grow her business in the coming years.

In each of these examples, “grow” is used to describe something that is currently happening or will happen in the future. It is important to note that “grow” should only be used in the present tense or future tense.

More Examples Of Grew & Grow Used In Sentences

In order to better understand the difference between “grew” and “grow,” it’s important to see how they are used in sentences. Here are some examples:

Examples Of Using “Grew” In A Sentence:

• The plant grew taller overnight.
• She grew more confident as she practiced her speech.
• My family grew closer after my grandfather’s passing.
• The company grew rapidly after the new CEO took over.
• He grew tired of the constant criticism.
• The city grew in population over the last decade.
• Her love for him grew stronger every day.
• The children grew restless during the long car ride.
• The tree grew wider with each passing year.
• His anger grew as he listened to the lies.

Examples Of Using “Grow” In A Sentence:

• The plant will grow faster with more sunlight.
• If you water the flowers regularly, they will grow beautifully.
• She hopes to grow her business in the next year.
• The economy is expected to grow by 3% this quarter.
• He wants to grow his knowledge in the field of science.
• Children need proper nutrition to grow strong and healthy.
• The company plans to grow its customer base through marketing efforts.
• Her passion for photography continues to grow with each new project.
• The city is working to grow its tourism industry.
• He hopes to grow as a person through his experiences.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “grew” and “grow,” many people tend to interchange them without realizing that they have different meanings. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using “Grew” Instead Of “Grow”

One common mistake is using “grew” instead of “grow” when referring to something that is currently happening or will happen in the future. For example, saying “I grew tomatoes in my garden” instead of “I am growing tomatoes in my garden” is incorrect because the action is ongoing.

Another mistake is using “grew” instead of “grow” when referring to something that has not yet happened. For instance, saying “I grew to love hiking” instead of “I have grown to love hiking” is incorrect because the action is not yet complete.

Using “Grow” Instead Of “Grew”

Conversely, another common mistake is using “grow” instead of “grew” when referring to something that happened in the past. For example, saying “I grow up in a small town” instead of “I grew up in a small town” is incorrect because the action is completed.

Additionally, using “grow” instead of “grew” in the past tense can also lead to confusion. For instance, saying “I grow tired of this” instead of “I grew tired of this” is incorrect because the action is already completed.

Tips To Avoid Mistakes

• Pay attention to the tense of the verb and make sure it matches the context of the sentence.
• Read the sentence out loud to ensure it sounds correct and natural.
• Use a grammar checker tool to catch any mistakes you may have missed.

By avoiding these common mistakes and following these tips, you can ensure that you are using “grew” and “grow” correctly in your writing.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between “grew” and “grow,” context plays a crucial role. These two words may seem interchangeable, but they have distinct meanings that can affect the overall message of a sentence. Understanding the context in which they are used is essential to selecting the right word.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “grew” and “grow” might change:

Context	Example Sentence	Correct Word Choice
Present Tense	The plant grow quickly in the sunshine.	Grow
Past Tense	The plant grew quickly in the sunshine.	Grew
Comparative	The company grew faster than its competitors.	Grew
Superlative	The company grew the fastest of all its competitors.	Grew
Change Over Time	The city grew from a small town to a bustling metropolis.	Grew
Physical Size	The apple grew to the size of a grapefruit.	Grew
Emotional or Mental State	She grew increasingly anxious as the deadline approached.	Grew
Quantity	The number of participants grew from 100 to 500.	Grew

As you can see from these examples, the choice between “grew” and “grow” can vary depending on the context. It’s important to consider the intended meaning of the sentence and choose the appropriate word accordingly.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using “grew” and “grow” are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to be aware of. Here are some cases where the rules may not apply:

Irregular Verbs

Some verbs in English are considered irregular, meaning they do not follow the typical pattern of adding “-ed” to form the past tense. “Grow” is one of these irregular verbs, which means that its past tense form is “grew” instead of “growed.” Therefore, in sentences where the past tense is needed, “grew” should be used instead of “grow.” For example:

• Correct: The tree grew tall over the years.
• Incorrect: The tree growed tall over the years.

Idiomatic Expressions

Idiomatic expressions are phrases or sayings that have a figurative meaning that is different from the literal meaning of the words. In some cases, these expressions may use “grow” or “grew” in a way that does not follow the standard rules. For example:

• Correct: His business grew by leaps and bounds.
• Incorrect: His business growed by leaps and bounds.

In this case, “grew” is used because it is part of the idiomatic expression “grew by leaps and bounds.” Using “grow” instead would be grammatically incorrect, even though “grow” is the present tense form of the verb.

Regional Differences

There may also be regional differences in how “grew” and “grow” are used in certain contexts. For example, in some parts of the world, it is common to use “grow” in place of “grew” in certain past tense sentences. However, this usage is not considered standard English and should be avoided in formal writing.

Overall, while there are some exceptions to the rules for using “grew” and “grow,” these cases are relatively rare. By following the standard rules, you can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and grammatically correct.

Practice Exercises

Improving your understanding and use of grew and grow is essential to effective communication. Here are some practice exercises to help you hone your skills:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct form of grew or grow to fill in the blank in the following sentences:

1. The plant _________ quickly in the warm sun.
2. He ___________ six inches taller since last year.
3. The company ___________ from a small startup to a multinational corporation.
4. She ___________ tired of the same routine every day.
5. My interest in gardening has ___________ over time.

Answer Key:

1. grows
2. has grown
3. grew
4. has grown
5. grown

Exercise 2: Sentence Correction

Correct the following sentences by choosing the correct form of grew or grow:

1. She is hoping to grow her business, but it will take time.
2. The flowers in the garden has grown beautifully this year.
3. He grew tired of the same old routine and decided to make a change.
4. My interest in photography has grown over the years, and now it’s my favorite hobby.

Answer Key:

1. Correct
2. The flowers in the garden have grown beautifully this year.
3. Correct
4. Correct

By practicing these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of grew and grow in sentences. Keep in mind the subtle differences between the two forms, and use them appropriately to convey your intended meaning.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the difference between “grew” and “grow” is essential in mastering the English language. The two words have different meanings and uses, and using them interchangeably can lead to confusion and miscommunication.

Key Takeaways

• “Grew” is the past tense of “grow,” while “grow” is the present tense.
• “Grew” is used to describe something that has already happened, while “grow” is used to describe something that is currently happening or will happen in the future.
• Using “grew” instead of “grow” can change the meaning of a sentence and lead to confusion.
• Understanding grammar and language use is important in effective communication.

By mastering the difference between “grew” and “grow,” you will be able to communicate more effectively and avoid common grammatical errors. We encourage you to continue learning about grammar and language use to improve your writing and communication skills.