Understanding the correct past tense forms of irregular verbs like “grow” is crucial for clear and accurate communication in English. Confusing “grew” and “grown” is a common mistake, even for native speakers.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to the past tense and past participle of “grow,” explaining when and how to use each form correctly. Whether you’re an ESL learner or a native speaker looking to polish your grammar, this guide will help you master this tricky verb.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of “Grow” and Its Forms
- Structural Breakdown: Verb Tenses
- Understanding the Principal Parts of “Grow”
- Examples of “Grow,” “Grew,” and “Grown”
- Usage Rules for “Grew” and “Grown”
- Common Mistakes with “Grew” and “Grown”
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics: Nuances of “Grow”
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition of “Grow” and Its Forms
The verb “grow” is an irregular verb in English, meaning its past tense and past participle forms don’t follow the standard -ed ending rule.
When asking “what is the past tense of grow,” the answer is straightforward: it is grew. Remember that grow grew grown represents the base form, past simple, and past participle, respectively. Understanding both the past tense and past participle ensures correct sentence construction across different tenses, avoiding common errors like “growed” or “have grew.”
It describes the process of increasing in size, developing, or maturing. Understanding its different forms is essential for proper grammar.
Basic Definition of “Grow”
Grow (present tense): To increase in size or amount; to develop and mature.
Forms of “Grow”
- Base Form: grow
- Past Simple: grew
- Past Participle: grown
- Present Participle/Gerund: growing
The base form is used in the present tense (except for the third-person singular, which uses “grows”) and with modal verbs. The past simple (grew) is used to describe completed actions in the past. The past participle (grown) is used with auxiliary verbs like “have,” “has,” “had,” “is,” “are,” “was,” and “were” to form perfect tenses and passive voice constructions.
The past participle of grow is grown, which functions primarily as a verb form in perfect tenses or passive constructions. When using grown, it is important to pair it with auxiliary verbs like have, has, had, is, or was to indicate a completed action or state. Recognizing grown part of speech as a past participle helps learners avoid mistakes such as using “grew” where “grown” is required.
The present participle (growing) is used in continuous tenses.
Structural Breakdown: Verb Tenses
Understanding verb tenses is vital for using “grow,” “grew,” and “grown” correctly. Each tense signifies a different time frame and requires the appropriate form of the verb.
Simple Present Tense
The simple present tense describes habitual actions, general truths, or current states. The base form “grow” is used, but the third-person singular takes the form “grows.”
Example: I grow tomatoes in my garden. She grows flowers in her backyard.
Simple Past Tense
The simple past tense describes completed actions in the past. The past simple form “grew” is used.
Example: The tree grew taller last year. He grew up in a small town.
Present Perfect Tense
The present perfect tense describes actions that started in the past and continue to the present or have a present result. It uses “have” or “has” + the past participle “grown.”
Example: I have grown to love classical music. She has grown considerably since last year.
Past Perfect Tense
The past perfect tense describes actions completed before another action in the past. It uses “had” + the past participle “grown.”
Example: By the time I arrived, the plants had grown significantly. He had grown tired of the city before he moved to the countryside.
Future Perfect Tense
The future perfect tense describes actions that will be completed before a specific time in the future. It uses “will have” + the past participle “grown.”
Example: By next year, the company will have grown substantially. She will have grown out of those clothes by the summer.
Passive Voice
The past participle “grown” is also used in the passive voice, with forms of the verb “be.”
Example: The vegetables are grown locally. The company was grown from a small startup.
Understanding the Principal Parts of “Grow”
The principal parts of a verb are its base form, past simple, and past participle. Knowing these parts is essential for conjugating the verb correctly in different tenses.
Base Form: Grow
The base form is used in the present tense (except for the third-person singular) and with modal verbs.
Examples: I grow, You grow, We grow, They grow, I must grow, You should grow.
Past Simple: Grew
The past simple is used to describe completed actions in the past, regardless of the subject.
Examples: I grew, You grew, He/She/It grew, We grew, They grew.
Past Participle: Grown
The past participle is used with auxiliary verbs to form perfect tenses and passive voice constructions.
Examples: I have grown, You have grown, He/She/It has grown, We have grown, They have grown, The plant was grown.
Examples of “Grow,” “Grew,” and “Grown”
To solidify your understanding, let’s explore various examples of “grow,” “grew,” and “grown” in different contexts. These examples are categorized by tense and usage to demonstrate how each form functions in a sentence.
Examples of “Grow” (Present Tense)
The following table illustrates the usage of “grow” in the present tense, including its third-person singular form, “grows.”
| Subject | Example Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| I | I grow herbs in my kitchen garden. | Describes a current habit. |
| You | You grow more confident with each presentation. | Describes a current process or state. |
| He | He grows vegetables for the local market. | Describes a current occupation or habit. |
| She | She grows orchids in her greenhouse. | Describes a current hobby. |
| It | It grows quickly in the right conditions. | Describes a general truth about something. |
| We | We grow closer with each passing year. | Describes an ongoing relationship. |
| They | They grow their own food to be self-sufficient. | Describes a current practice or lifestyle. |
| The company | The company grows every quarter. | Describes ongoing business development. |
| The population | The population grows rapidly in urban areas. | Describes a general trend. |
| My understanding | My understanding of the topic grows with each lecture. | Describes an ongoing learning process. |
| I | I grow tired of the same routine. | Expresses a feeling or sentiment. |
| You | You grow more patient with practice. | Describes a gradual improvement. |
| He | He grows restless when he’s indoors for too long. | Describes a habitual behavior. |
| She | She grows accustomed to the early mornings. | Describes an adjustment over time. |
| It | It grows increasingly difficult to ignore the problem. | Describes an escalating situation. |
| We | We grow fond of the new neighbors. | Describes a developing affection. |
| They | They grow resentful of the lack of recognition. | Describes a building negative emotion. |
| The business | The business grows increasingly competitive. | Describes a changing market condition. |
| The trend | The trend grows in popularity among young adults. | Describes a spreading cultural phenomenon. |
| Our awareness | Our awareness of environmental issues grows each year. | Describes increasing knowledge. |
Examples of “Grew” (Past Simple)
The following table demonstrates the use of “grew” to describe completed actions in the past.
| Subject | Example Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| I | I grew up in a small village. | Describes a past childhood experience. |
| You | You grew taller last summer. | Describes a past physical change. |
| He | He grew a beard during his travels. | Describes a past appearance change. |
| She | She grew to love the city after living there for a year. | Describes a past change in feelings. |
| It | It grew dark quickly after the storm. | Describes a past change in environment. |
| We | We grew our own vegetables last year. | Describes a past gardening activity. |
| They | They grew tired of waiting and left. | Describes a past emotional state. |
| The company | The company grew rapidly in the early 2000s. | Describes past business expansion. |
| The tree | The tree grew significantly after the rain. | Describes past natural growth. |
| My confidence | My confidence grew with each successful project. | Describes past personal development. |
| I | I grew more interested in history after visiting the museum. | Describes a past change in interest. |
| You | You grew wiser with age and experience. | Describes a past intellectual development. |
| He | He grew increasingly frustrated with the slow internet speed. | Describes a past emotional change. |
| She | She grew accustomed to the solitude of the countryside. | Describes a past adaptation to a new environment. |
| It | It grew colder as the sun began to set. | Describes a past change in weather conditions. |
| We | We grew more concerned about the environmental impact. | Describes a past increase in awareness. |
| They | They grew more skilled at playing the instrument after years of practice. | Describes a past improvement in skill. |
| The business | The business grew its customer base through effective marketing. | Describes a past business strategy. |
| The project | The project grew in scope and complexity. | Describes a past increase in scale. |
| My appreciation | My appreciation for art grew after taking the class. | Describes a past change in taste. |
Examples of “Grown” (Past Participle)
The following table illustrates the usage of “grown” in perfect tenses and passive voice constructions.
| Tense/Voice | Subject | Example Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present Perfect | I | I have grown to appreciate the value of hard work. | Describes a change that continues to the present. |
| Present Perfect | You | You have grown so much since I last saw you. | Describes a change that has occurred recently. |
| Present Perfect | He | He has grown a large garden this year. | Describes an action with present relevance. |
| Present Perfect | She | She has grown tired of the constant noise. | Describes a state resulting from a past action. |
| Present Perfect | It | It has grown increasingly difficult to ignore the problem. | Describes a situation that has worsened over time. |
| Present Perfect | We | We have grown accustomed to the new routine. | Describes a state of being after a period of adjustment. |
| Present Perfect | They | They have grown more confident in their abilities. | Describes an improvement that has occurred. |
| Past Perfect | The company | The company had grown significantly before the recession hit. | Describes an action completed before another past action. |
| Past Perfect | The plant | The plant had grown too large for its pot. | Describes a state before a past event. |
| Past Perfect | My skills | My skills had grown considerably by the time I graduated. | Describes a development completed before a past milestone. |
| Future Perfect | I | By next year, I will have grown a substantial amount of vegetables. | Describes an action that will be completed by a future time. |
| Future Perfect | You | By the time you return, the flowers will have grown beautifully. | Describes a state that will be achieved by a future point. |
| Future Perfect | He | He will have grown accustomed to his new job by the end of the month. | Describes an adjustment that will be completed by a future date. |
| Future Perfect | She | She will have grown more independent after living on her own. | Describes a development that will be achieved by a future stage. |
| Future Perfect | It | The business will have grown its revenue significantly by the end of the quarter. | Describes an achievement that will be completed by a future business target. |
| Future Perfect | We | We will have grown our team to include more experts by next year. | Describes a team expansion that will be completed by a future deadline. |
| Future Perfect | They | They will have grown their global presence by expanding into new markets. | Describes an expansion that will be completed by a future geographical benchmark. |
| Passive Voice | The vegetables | The vegetables are grown locally. | Describes a process done to the subject. |
| Passive Voice | The company | The company was grown from a small startup. | Describes the origin and development of the subject. |
| Passive Voice | The tradition | The tradition has been grown over many generations. | Describes the historical development of the subject. |
Usage Rules for “Grew” and “Grown”
The correct usage of “grew” and “grown” depends on the tense and context of the sentence. Understanding these rules will help you avoid common errors.
Rule 1: “Grew” for Simple Past Tense
Use “grew” to describe actions that were completed in the past and are not ongoing.
Correct: The flowers grew quickly in the spring.
Incorrect: The flowers have grew quickly in the spring.
Rule 2: “Grown” with Auxiliary Verbs
Use “grown” with auxiliary verbs like “have,” “has,” “had,” “is,” “are,” “was,” and “were” to form perfect tenses and passive voice constructions.
Correct: I have grown to appreciate jazz music.
Incorrect: I have grew to appreciate jazz music.
Correct: The tomatoes are grown in California.
Incorrect: The tomatoes are grew in California.
Rule 3: Avoiding Confusion with “Growed”
Remember that “growed” is not a correct form of the verb “grow.” Always use “grew” for the simple past tense and “grown” for the past participle.
Correct: He grew taller last year.
Incorrect: He growed taller last year.
Common Mistakes with “Grew” and “Grown”
Several common mistakes occur when using “grew” and “grown.” Recognizing these errors can help you avoid them in your own writing and speech.
Mistake 1: Using “Grew” with Auxiliary Verbs
A common mistake is using “grew” instead of “grown” with auxiliary verbs.
Incorrect: I have grew a beard.
Correct: I have grown a beard.
Mistake 2: Using “Grown” in Simple Past Tense
Another common mistake is using “grown” instead of “grew” for simple past tense.
Incorrect: She had grown up in New York.
Correct: She grew up in New York.
Mistake 3: Using “Growed”
Using “growed” instead of either “grew” or “grown” is incorrect.
Incorrect: He growed his hair long.
Correct: He grew his hair long.
Correct: He has grown his hair long.
Table of Common Mistakes
The following table summarizes common mistakes with “grew” and “grown,” along with the correct forms.
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| I have grew taller. | I have grown taller. | “Grown” is the past participle, used with “have.” |
| She grown up in London. | She grew up in London. | “Grew” is the simple past tense. |
| He growed a mustache. | He grew a mustache. | “Growed” is not a valid form. |
| They are grown the best apples. | They grow the best apples. | Simple present tense to describe a regular action |
| The apples are grew in Washington. | The apples are grown in Washington. | Passive voice needs past participle after “are” |
| We have growing a garden. | We have grown a garden. | “Grown” is the correct past participle form. |
| The city had growned significantly. | The city had grown significantly. | “Grown” is the only correct past participle. |
| By next year, the plants will have grew. | By next year, the plants will have grown. | Future perfect tense requires “grown”. |
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with these exercises. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “grow” (“grow,” “grew,” or “grown”).
Exercise 1: Simple Past Tense
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. The plant ______ quickly in the sun. | grew |
| 2. He ______ up in a small town. | grew |
| 3. She ______ tired of waiting. | grew |
| 4. We ______ our own vegetables last summer. | grew |
| 5. The company ______ rapidly in the 1990s. | grew |
| 6. My interest in art ______ after visiting the museum. | grew |
| 7. The children ______ excited as Christmas approached. | grew |
| 8. The business ______ its customer base through online marketing. | grew |
| 9. Her confidence ______ with each successful performance. | grew |
| 10. As the days passed, the challenge ahead ______ larger. | grew |
Exercise 2: Present Perfect Tense
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. I ______ to love classical music. | have grown |
| 2. She ______ considerably since last year. | has grown |
| 3. They ______ more confident in their abilities. | have grown |
| 4. The city ______ significantly in recent years. | has grown |
| 5. We ______ closer as a team after the project. | have grown |
| 6. He ______ a beard during his travels. | has grown |
| 7. You ______ taller since I last saw you. | have grown |
| 8. It ______ increasingly difficult to ignore the issue. | has grown |
| 9. The company ______ its global presence through strategic partnerships. | has grown |
| 10. Our understanding of the universe ______ with each new discovery. | has grown |
Exercise 3: Past Perfect Tense
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. By the time I arrived, the plants ______ significantly. | had grown |
| 2. He ______ tired of the city before he moved. | had grown |
| 3. She ______ to appreciate the small things in life. | had grown |
| 4. The company ______ substantially before the recession. | had grown |
| 5. We ______ accustomed to the silence of the countryside. | had grown |
| 6. They ______ more skilled at playing the piano. | had grown |
| 7. The tree ______ too tall for its location. | had grown |
| 8. My interest in science ______ after watching the show. | had grown |
| 9. The technology ______ more complex over the years. | had grown |
| 10. Before the storm, the crops ______ abundantly in the fields. | had grown |
Advanced Topics: Nuances of “Grow”
Beyond the basic forms, “grow” has nuanced usages that advanced learners should understand.
Idiomatic Expressions
“Grow” appears in several idiomatic expressions with specific meanings.
- Grow on someone: To become liked or appreciated over time. Example: This song is starting to grow on me.
- Grow out of something: To become too old or mature for something. Example: She has grown out of her childhood toys.
- Grow apart: To gradually become distant or estranged. Example: They grew apart after college.
“Grow” as a Linking Verb
“Grow” can function as a linking verb, connecting the subject to a predicate adjective.
Example: The situation grew serious. He grew impatient.
Figurative Usage
“Grow” can be used figuratively to describe the development of abstract concepts or qualities.
Example: The movement grew in popularity. The tension grew thicker in the room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about using “grow,” “grew,” and “grown.”
Q: Is “growed” a correct word?
A: No, “growed” is not a correct word. The correct past tense form is “grew,” and the past participle is “grown.”
Q: When should I use “grew” versus “grown”?
A: Use “grew” for simple past tense to describe completed actions in the past. Use “grown” with auxiliary verbs like “have,” “has,” “had,” “is,” “are,” “was,” and “were” to form perfect tenses and passive voice constructions.
Q: Can “grow” be used in the passive voice?
A: Yes, “grow” can be used in the passive voice. In the passive voice, “grown” is used with a form of the verb “be.” For example: “The tomatoes are grown in Italy.”
Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid with “grow”?
A: Common mistakes include using “grew” with auxiliary verbs (e.g., “I have grew”) and using “grown” in simple past tense (e.g., “She grown up in London”). Always remember to use “grew” for simple past and “grown” with auxiliary verbs.
Q: How do I remember which form to use?
A: Think of “grew” as the form you use when describing a completed action in the past without any helping verbs. Think of “grown” as the form that “grows” with helping verbs like “have,” “has,” “had,” and forms of “be.”
Q: Are there any idiomatic expressions with “grow”?
A: Yes, there are several, such as “grow on someone” (to become liked), “grow out of something” (to become too old for), and “grow apart” (to become distant).
Q: Can “grow” be used as a linking verb?
A: Yes, “grow” can be used as a linking verb to connect a subject to a predicate adjective, such as “The situation grew serious.”
Q: Is there a difference in meaning between “grow” and “develop”?
A: While “grow” and “develop” are often used interchangeably, “grow” typically refers to an increase in size or amount, while “develop” often implies a more complex or advanced stage of progress. However, the distinction can be subtle and context-dependent.
Conclusion
Mastering the correct usage of “grew” and “grown” is essential for clear and accurate English communication. Remember that “grew” is the simple past tense form used for completed actions in the past, while “grown” is the past participle used with auxiliary verbs in perfect tenses and passive voice constructions. Avoid common mistakes like using “grew” with auxiliary verbs or using the non-existent form “growed.” With practice and attention to these rules, you can confidently use “grow,” “grew,” and “grown” in your writing and speech.
I’m James Terban, a teacher with a degree in Education and five years of experience working with students of all ages, from young kids learning their first grammar rules to adults picking up English as a second language. I started Linguistics Guide because I kept seeing good learners hit a wall due to explanations that were either too vague or too complicated. Every article here comes from a real question I have heard in a classroom or seen asked online.