Grew vs. Grow — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 20, 2024
Grew is the simple past tense of grow, indicating past growth, while grow refers to the process of increasing in size or developing over time.
Difference Between Grew and Grow
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Grew is used to describe an action completed in the past, such as in "The plant grew quickly last summer." Grow, on the other hand, is used for ongoing or future actions, as in "Plants grow faster in the right conditions.
"Grew implies a completed action with a focus on results from a specific time, like "She grew to appreciate classical music." Whereas grow can imply a potential or ongoing process, such as "Children grow more when they eat healthy.
"In grammar, grew serves as a simple past verb, typically used with a specific time frame. Grow, on the other hand, can function as a present tense verb or a base form used for infinitives and imperatives.
When considering the usage in passive constructions, "was grown" is often seen, focusing on the cultivation aspect, such as in agriculture. In contrast, grow is active and dynamic, suggesting natural or nurtured development in present or future tenses.
The context of growth also differs; grew often refers to physical or quantifiable changes in the past, such as "The company grew rapidly." Grow, however, suggests a broader scope of development, including skills, economies, and relationships.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Tense
Simple past
Present, base form
Example Usage
"The flowers grew."
"Flowers grow in spring."
Focus
Completed growth
Ongoing/incremental growth
Common Contexts
Past developments
Current/future development
Grammatical Forms
Past indicative
Present indicative, imperative, infinitive
Compare with Definitions
Grew
To expand or increase in past scope.
The business grew substantially last year.
Grow
To increase in size, amount, or degree over time.
Plants grow quickly during the rainy season.
Grew
To become gradually or eventually.
She grew tired as the night progressed.
Grow
To expand or increase in scope or scale.
The company plans to grow its operations in Asia.
Grew
To allow or cause to grow in the past.
They grew their savings by investing wisely.
Grow
To allow something to develop or increase.
He decided to grow a beard.
Grew
To change or develop in a past period.
As he grew older, he became wiser.
Grow
To cultivate or produce by cultivation.
The farmer grows corn and soybeans.
Grew
Past tense of grow, indicating past increase in size or number.
The tree grew to be 100 feet tall.
Grow
To become gradually or over time.
They grow accustomed to the noise.
Grew
Grew is a surname.
Grow
(of a living thing) undergo natural development by increasing in size and changing physically
He would watch Nick grow to manhood
Grown men don't act so stupidly
Grew
Past tense of grow.
Grow
Become larger or greater over a period of time; increase
Turnover grew to more than $100,000 within three years
Grew
Past participle of grow
Grow
Become gradually or increasingly
Sharing our experiences we grew braver
Grow
To increase in size by a natural process.
Grow
To expand; gain
The business grew under new owners.
Grow
To increase in amount or degree; intensify
The suspense grew.
Grow
To develop and reach maturity.
Grow
To be capable of growth; thrive
A plant that grows in shade.
Grow
To become attached by or as if by the process of growth
Tree trunks that had grown together.
Grow
To come into existence from a source; spring up
Love that grew from friendship.
Grow
To come to be by a gradual process or by degrees; become
Grow angry.
Grow closer.
Grow
To cause to grow; raise
Grow tulips.
Grow
To allow (something) to develop or increase by a natural process
Grow a beard.
Grow
Usage Problem To cause to increase or expand by concerted effort
Strategies that grew the family business.
Grow
(ergative) To become larger, to increase in magnitude.
Children grow quickly.
Grow
To undergo growth; to be present somewhere
Apples now grow all over the world.
Grow
(intransitive) To appear or sprout.
Leaf buds grew on the trees with the advance of spring.
A long tail began to grow from his backside.
Grow
(intransitive) To develop, to mature.
As I grew throughout adolescence, I came to appreciate many things about human nature.
Grow
(transitive) To cause or allow something to become bigger, especially to cultivate plants.
He grows peppers and squash each summer in his garden.
Have you ever grown your hair before?
Grow
(copulative) To assume a condition or quality over time.
The boy grew wise as he matured.
The town grew smaller and smaller in the distance as we travelled.
You have grown strong.
Grow
To become attached or fixed; to adhere.
Grow
To increase in size by a natural and organic process; to increase in bulk by the gradual assimilation of new matter into the living organism; - said of animals and vegetables and their organs.
Grow
To increase in any way; to become larger and stronger; to be augmented; to advance; to extend; to wax; to accrue.
Winter began to grow fast on.
Even just the sum that I do owe to youIs growing to me by Antipholus.
Grow
To spring up and come to maturity in a natural way; to be produced by vegetation; to thrive; to flourish; as, rice grows in warm countries.
Where law faileth, error groweth.
Grow
To pass from one state to another; to result as an effect from a cause; to become; as, to grow pale.
For his mindHad grown Suspicion's sanctuary.
Grow
To become attached or fixed; to adhere.
Our knees shall kneel till to the ground they grow.
These wars have grown out of commercial considerations.
Grow
To cause to grow; to cultivate; to produce; as, to grow a crop; to grow wheat, hops, or tobacco.
Grow
Pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become;
The weather turned nasty
She grew angry
Grow
Become larger, greater, or bigger; expand or gain;
The problem grew too large for me
Her business grew fast
Grow
Increase in size by natural process;
Corn doesn't grow here
In these forests, mushrooms grow under the trees
Grow
Cause to grow or develop;
He grows vegetables in his backyard
Grow
Develop and reach maturity; undergo maturation;
He matured fast
The child grew fast
Grow
Come into existence; take on form or shape;
A new religious movement originated in that country
A love that sprang up from friendship
The idea for the book grew out of a short story
An interesting phenomenon uprose
Grow
Cultivate by growing, often involving improvements by means of agricultural techniques;
The Bordeaux region produces great red wines
They produce good ham in Parma
We grow wheat here
We raise hogs here
Grow
Come to have or undergo a change of (physical features and attributes);
He grew a beard
The patient developed abdominal pains
I got funny spots all over my body
Well-developed breasts
Grow
Grow emotionally or mature;
The child developed beautifully in her new kindergarten
When he spent a summer at camp, the boy grew noticeably and no longer showed some of his old adolescent behavior
Grow
Become attached by or as if by the process of growth;
The tree trunks had grown together
Common Curiosities
Can 'grew' and 'grow' be used interchangeably?
No, 'grew' is used for past events, and 'grow' is used for present or future contexts.
What are some common phrases using 'grow'?
Common phrases include 'grow old', 'grow tired', and 'grow apart'.
How is 'grow' used in business contexts?
In business, 'grow' refers to expansion or increase in size, scope, or revenue.
What does 'grew up' mean?
'Grew up' refers to the process of maturing or coming of age.
What is the imperative form of 'grow'?
The imperative form is "grow," used in commands like "Grow your savings!"
Can 'grow' imply non-physical development?
Yes, 'grow' can refer to emotional, intellectual, or economic development.
Is 'grew' ever used in modern English outside of past descriptions?
Grew is primarily used for past descriptions and rarely appears outside this context.
How do you use 'grew' in a passive sentence?
"The crops were grown organically" is an example of passive use.
What is the difference between 'grew' and 'grow'?
Grew is the past tense of grow, used for past growth events, while grow refers to ongoing or future growth.
What does 'grow on' someone mean?
It means to become more liked or appreciated over time.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Human vs. Machine
Next Comparison
Dal vs. DahlAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
