Grew vs Growed: When To Use Each One In Writing

Are you confused about whether to use “grew” or “growed” in your writing? You’re not alone. The English language can be tricky, and even native speakers can struggle with irregular verbs. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between “grew” and “growed” and give you some tips on when to use each one.

We should get the answer out of the way. “Grew” is the proper word to use in most situations. “Growed” is not considered standard English and is only used in some dialects or informal speech.

So, what do these words mean? “Grew” is the past tense of “grow,” which means to increase in size or develop over time. For example, “The tree grew taller every year.”

“Growed” is a nonstandard past tense form of “grow.” It is sometimes used in dialects or informal speech, but it is not considered standard English.

Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s dive deeper into the differences between “grew” and “growed.”

Define Grew

Grew is the past tense of the verb grow, which means to develop or increase in size, quantity, or degree. It is an irregular verb, which means that its past tense does not follow the regular -ed ending rule. Instead, it changes its spelling to grew.

Grew is commonly used when referring to the past, indicating that something has already happened. For example, “The tree grew taller last year,” or “She grew more confident as she gained experience.”

Define Growed

Growed is an incorrect spelling of the past tense of the verb grow. It is a common mistake made by people who are not familiar with the English language or by those who use colloquial language. The correct past tense of grow is grew, not growed.

Using growed instead of grew is considered incorrect, and it can make your writing sound unprofessional. It is important to use the correct form of the verb to ensure that your writing is clear and easy to understand.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Proper grammar is essential to effective communication. One of the most common mistakes in the English language is the confusion between the words “grew” and “growed.” In this section, we will discuss how to use each of these words correctly 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 in the past. Here are some examples:

• My tomato plant grew to be six feet tall last summer.
• She grew up in a small town in the Midwest.
• He grew a beard during quarantine.

As you can see, “grew” is used to describe a change or development that has already occurred. It is always used in the past tense.

How To Use “Growed” In A Sentence

“Growed” is a nonstandard form of the past tense of “grow.” It is not considered correct grammar and should be avoided in formal writing. However, it is sometimes used in informal speech or dialects. Here are some examples:

• He said he growed up in the country.
• My grandma always said her roses growed better than anyone else’s.
• The little boy proudly showed off the pumpkin he growed in his backyard.

While “growed” is technically incorrect, it can be used in certain contexts to convey a particular tone or dialect. However, it should be avoided in formal writing or professional settings.

More Examples Of Grew & Growed Used In Sentences

Here are some more examples of how to use “grew” and “growed” in a sentence.

Examples Of Using Grew In A Sentence

• The tree grew taller than the house.
• She grew tired of waiting for him.
• His love for her grew stronger every day.
• The population of the city grew rapidly.
• The flowers grew quickly in the warm sun.
• His hair grew longer and longer each month.
• They grew apart after years of being close friends.
• Her garden grew beautifully with all the rain.
• The company grew in size and profits.
• He grew up in a small town in the Midwest.

Examples Of Using Growed In A Sentence

• He growed a beard over the winter.
• The child growed taller than his parents.
• She growed tired of the same old routine.
• The weeds growed out of control in the garden.
• His muscles growed stronger with each workout.
• The puppy growed into a big dog.
• They growed apart after having different interests.
• The mold growed quickly in the damp basement.
• The company growed slowly due to lack of funding.
• He growed up in a rough neighborhood.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “grew” and “growed,” many people make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, this is incorrect and can lead to confusion in your writing. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using “Growed” Instead Of “Grew”

One of the most common mistakes people make is using “growed” instead of “grew.” While “growed” may sound correct in certain dialects, it is not considered proper English and should be avoided in formal writing. “Grew” is the correct past tense form of “grow.”

Using “Grew” Instead Of “Grown”

Another mistake people make is using “grew” instead of “grown.” While “grew” is the past tense form of “grow,” it is not the correct form to use when describing something that has already reached its full size or maturity. In these cases, “grown” is the correct form to use. For example, you should say “the tree has grown” instead of “the tree has grew.”

Not Understanding The Difference Between Transitive And Intransitive Verbs

Finally, it’s important to understand the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs when using “grew” and “growed.” A transitive verb requires an object to complete its meaning, while an intransitive verb does not. “Grow” is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not require an object. For example, you can say “the flowers grew” without needing to specify what the flowers grew. However, if you want to use “grew” with an object, you would need to use it as a transitive verb. For example, you can say “the gardener grew the flowers” to indicate that the gardener caused the flowers to grow.

Tips For Avoiding These Mistakes

• Read through your writing carefully to ensure you’ve used the correct form of “grow” or “grew.”
• Practice using both “grown” and “grew” in sentences to help you remember the correct usage.
• When in doubt, consult a grammar guide or dictionary to confirm the correct form to use.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between “grew” and “growed,” context plays a crucial role in determining which one to use. Both words are forms of the verb “grow,” but they are used in different contexts and have different grammatical rules. Understanding these differences is essential to using the correct word in the right situation.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “grew” and “growed” might change:

Context	Example Sentence	Correct Form
Past Tense	Yesterday, the flowers ___ in the garden.	grew
Non-Standard English	He ___ up to be a great athlete.	growed
Informal Speech	I ___ tired of waiting for you.	grew
Regional Dialects	The tree ___ tall in just a few years.	growed or grew

In the past tense context, “grew” is the correct form to use. For example, “Yesterday, the flowers grew in the garden.” In non-standard English, “growed” is sometimes used instead of “grew.” For example, “He growed up to be a great athlete.” In informal speech, “grew” is the more common form. For example, “I grew tired of waiting for you.” In some regional dialects, both “growed” and “grew” are used interchangeably. For example, “The tree growed/grew tall in just a few years.”

It is important to note that while “growed” is sometimes used in non-standard English, it is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. Therefore, it is best to use “grew” in all formal writing and speech.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using grew and growed are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions that can make things a bit more complicated. Here are a few scenarios where the standard rules may not apply:

1. Dialects And Regional Variations

One of the biggest exceptions to the rules for using grew and growed is the presence of dialects and regional variations. In some areas, it is common to use growed instead of grew, and this usage is considered acceptable within those communities. For example, in some parts of the southern United States, it is not uncommon to hear phrases like “I growed up in the country” instead of “I grew up in the country.”

While this usage may be considered nonstandard in other areas, it is important to recognize that language is fluid and constantly evolving. As such, it is not uncommon for regional variations to emerge and become widely accepted within certain communities.

2. Historical Context

Another exception to the rules for using grew and growed is the historical context in which the language is being used. In some cases, the use of growed may be appropriate when writing about historical events or figures. For example, if you were writing a biography of a person who lived in the 19th century, it would be appropriate to use growed instead of grew to maintain historical accuracy.

Similarly, if you were writing a historical novel set in a particular time period, it may be appropriate to use growed to maintain consistency with the language of the era.

3. Creative Writing And Poetry

Finally, there are some instances in creative writing and poetry where the rules for using grew and growed may not apply. In these cases, writers may choose to use growed for artistic or stylistic reasons. For example, a poet may use growed to maintain a particular meter or rhyme scheme, or a writer may use growed to convey a particular tone or mood.

While these exceptions may not apply in all situations, it is important to recognize that language is dynamic and constantly evolving. As such, it is important to be aware of these exceptions and to use grew and growed in a way that is appropriate for the context in which they are being used.

Practice Exercises

Improving one’s understanding and use of grew and growed requires practice. Here are some exercises to help readers master the usage of these two words:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Complete the following sentences with either “grew” or “growed”:

1. The plant ________ quickly in the warm sun.	________
2. She ________ tired of waiting for the bus.	________
3. The child ________ up to be a successful doctor.	________
4. The puppy ________ bigger every day.	________
5. He ________ the ball over the fence.	________

Answer Key:

1. The plant grew quickly in the warm sun.

2. She grew tired of waiting for the bus.

3. The child grew up to be a successful doctor.

4. The puppy grew bigger every day.

5. He growed the ball over the fence. (Note: This sentence is incorrect. The correct sentence should be “He threw the ball over the fence.”)

Exercise 2: Choose The Correct Word

Choose the correct word to complete the following sentences:

1. The flowers in the garden have ________ beautifully.

• a. grew
• b. growed

She has ________ tired of her job.

• a. grew
• b. growed

He ________ a beard during quarantine.

• a. grew
• b. growed

The tree ________ taller than the house.

• a. grew
• b. growed

Answer Key:

1. The flowers in the garden have grown beautifully.
2. She has grown tired of her job.
3. He grew a beard during quarantine.
4. The tree grew taller than the house.

By practicing these exercises, readers can improve their understanding and usage of grew and growed in sentences.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the debate between “grew” vs “growed” is a prime example of the importance of proper grammar and language use. While “growed” may be a common colloquialism in certain dialects, it is not considered standard English and should be avoided in formal writing.

Throughout this article, we have explored the origins of “growed” and its usage in various contexts. We have also discussed the differences between irregular and regular verbs and how they affect the past tense form.

It is essential to understand the nuances of language and grammar to communicate effectively and professionally. By paying attention to the details of language use, we can avoid misunderstandings and convey our intended message clearly.

Key Takeaways

• “Growed” is a non-standard past tense form of “grow” that is commonly used in certain dialects.
• Standard English uses “grew” as the past tense form of “grow.”
• Irregular verbs like “grow” have unique past tense forms that do not follow the standard “-ed” rule.
• Proper grammar and language use are essential for effective communication.

By continuing to learn about grammar and language use, we can improve our writing and communication skills and avoid common mistakes.