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B1 Adjective / Verb (Present Participle) #16 most common 10 min read

growing

Top 16

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips growing in 30 Seconds

Explanation growing in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'growing' is mostly used as a verb to describe simple physical changes. You might learn it when talking about plants in a garden or how children get taller. For example, 'The flower is growing.' It is one of the first words you use to describe nature and life. You don't need to worry about the complex adjective uses yet. Just remember that it means something is getting bigger right now. It is the 'ing' form of 'grow'. You might also hear it in the phrase 'growing up', which means a child is becoming an adult. It is a very helpful word for describing the world around you in a basic way.

At the A2 level, you start to use 'growing' as an adjective to describe simple trends. You might say 'a growing city' or 'a growing family.' You understand that it means something is increasing. You also use it more in the present continuous tense to talk about your own life, like 'My hair is growing long' or 'The weather is growing cold.' At this level, you begin to see that 'growing' can describe feelings too, like 'growing tired' or 'growing hungry.' It helps you add more detail to your sentences about how things are changing over time.

At the B1 level, 'growing' becomes a key word for discussing social and economic trends. You will use it to describe things like 'growing interest,' 'growing concern,' or 'a growing number of people.' You are now comfortable using it as an adjective before a noun to show that a situation is developing. You might use it in a presentation to say, 'There is a growing demand for new technology.' You also understand common phrases like 'growing pains,' which refers to the difficulties of a new project or stage of life. This word is essential for reaching an intermediate level of English because it allows you to talk about progress and change.

At the B2 level, you use 'growing' with more precision and in more formal contexts. You might discuss 'growing inequality' or 'the growing complexity of global politics.' You can distinguish between 'growing' and other similar words like 'increasing' or 'expanding.' You also use 'growing' in participial phrases to start sentences, such as 'Growing more confident, he decided to apply for the job.' You understand the nuance of 'growing' when it implies an organic, natural development versus a forced one. Your vocabulary includes collocations like 'growing consensus' and 'growing body of evidence.'

At the C1 level, you use 'growing' to convey subtle shades of meaning in academic and professional writing. You might analyze the 'growing disparity' between two groups or the 'growing sophistication' of a particular technology. You are aware of how 'growing' can be used to create a sense of momentum or inevitability in a narrative. You can use it to describe abstract concepts with ease, such as 'a growing sense of unease' or 'the growing realization that things must change.' You also know when to replace 'growing' with more advanced synonyms like 'burgeoning,' 'proliferating,' or 'escalating' to achieve a specific rhetorical effect.

At the C2 level, 'growing' is a tool for sophisticated expression. You use it effortlessly in complex sentence structures and understand its historical and etymological roots. You might use it in a philosophical context to discuss the 'growing awareness of the self' or in a highly technical field to describe 'growing crystals' or 'growing economies' with deep insight. You can use 'growing' to imply irony or to create a specific atmosphere in creative writing. Your mastery of the word is such that you can use it in any register, from the most informal slang to the most formal legal or scientific document, always choosing the perfect context.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

growing in 30 Seconds

Growing describes something that is increasing in size, amount, or degree over time, indicating a dynamic and ongoing process of change.
It can be used as an adjective (a growing problem) or as the present participle of the verb 'to grow' (the tree is growing).
Commonly used in economic, social, and biological contexts to highlight trends, development, and the intensification of feelings or situations.
It is a versatile word that often carries a sense of momentum, whether describing positive expansion or the worsening of a negative issue.

The word growing is a versatile term that functions as both the present participle of the verb 'to grow' and as an adjective. At its core, it signifies the process of increasing, developing, or expanding. When we describe something as growing, we are highlighting a dynamic state of change rather than a static condition. This can apply to physical size, such as a growing child or a growing plant, but it is equally common in abstract contexts. For instance, in economics, a growing market indicates a sector that is attracting more investment and customers over time. In social contexts, we often speak of a growing concern or a growing trend, suggesting that an idea or a feeling is becoming more widespread and influential among a population.

Physical Development: Refers to the biological increase in size or maturation of living organisms, such as animals, humans, or vegetation. It implies a healthy progression toward a more advanced stage of life.

Abstract Expansion: Used to describe non-physical entities like emotions, problems, or economies that are intensifying or becoming more significant in scope and impact.

The city is facing a growing need for affordable housing as the population continues to rise every year.

People use this word when they want to emphasize the ongoing nature of a change. It is not just that something is 'big,' but that it is 'becoming bigger.' This nuance is crucial in professional reporting, academic writing, and daily conversation. For example, a doctor might mention a child's growing pains, which are physical discomforts associated with rapid bone development. Similarly, a political analyst might discuss the growing influence of a particular movement, indicating that its power is not yet at its peak but is actively climbing. The word carries a sense of momentum and potential, whether that potential is positive, like a growing friendship, or negative, like a growing debt.

With the growing popularity of electric vehicles, many charging stations are being installed across the country.

Economic Context: In business, 'growing' describes revenue, market share, or customer bases that are on an upward trajectory, signaling health and success.

Investors are looking for growing companies that show potential for long-term profit and stability.

There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that sleep is vital for cognitive function.

The growing gap between the rich and the poor is a major topic of debate in modern sociology.

Using growing correctly requires understanding its role as either a modifier or a verb. When used as an adjective, it typically precedes the noun it describes, acting as an attributive adjective. This placement emphasizes the quality of the noun as being in a state of increase. For example, in the phrase 'a growing number of students,' the word 'growing' modifies 'number,' telling us that the quantity is not fixed but is rising. This structure is very common in formal reports and news headlines to indicate trends. It can also be used after a linking verb, though this is less common for the adjective form and more common for the present continuous verb form.

Attributive Use: Placed before a noun: 'The growing storm caused everyone to seek shelter.' Here, it describes the storm's increasing intensity.

We must address the growing concerns regarding data privacy in the digital age.

When functioning as a verb in the present continuous tense, 'growing' follows an auxiliary verb (am, is, are, was, were). This usage describes an action that is happening at a specific time. For instance, 'The economy is growing' focuses on the current state of expansion. It is important to distinguish this from the adjective form. While 'a growing economy' (adjective) is a type of economy, 'the economy is growing' (verb) is an action the economy is performing. Furthermore, 'growing' can be used in participial phrases to provide additional information about a subject, such as 'Growing up in a small town, she learned the value of community.'

The growing complexity of the project required us to hire more specialized staff.

Participial Phrases: Used at the beginning of a sentence to show cause or background: 'Growing tired of the noise, he decided to move to the countryside.'

There is growing evidence that regular exercise can significantly improve mental health.

The growing season for these tomatoes is typically from late spring to early autumn.

He felt a growing sense of accomplishment as he finished the final chapter of his book.

You will encounter the word growing in a vast array of environments, ranging from the evening news to a casual conversation at a garden center. In the media, it is a staple for journalists reporting on societal shifts. You might hear a news anchor say, 'There is a growing consensus among scientists regarding climate change,' or 'The growing tension between the two nations has reached a critical point.' In these contexts, the word serves to alert the audience that a situation is developing and requires attention. It provides a sense of urgency and scale that a static word like 'big' or 'large' cannot convey.

News and Media: Used to describe trends in public opinion, economic shifts, or international relations that are evolving over time.

The growing influence of social media on youth culture is a subject of intense academic study.

In the world of business and finance, 'growing' is almost always a positive descriptor. CEOs boast about their growing profits, and marketing teams target growing demographics. If you are listening to a podcast about startups, you will frequently hear about 'growth hacking' or 'growing a brand from scratch.' In this sphere, the word is synonymous with success, vitality, and future potential. Conversely, in environmental or social discussions, it often highlights problems that are getting worse, such as growing pollution or growing frustration among workers. It is a word that tracks the pulse of change across all sectors of human life.

Farmers are concerned about the growing resistance of pests to traditional pesticides.

Daily Life and Parenting: Commonly used to describe children's development, such as 'growing out of clothes' or 'growing into a new responsibility'.

There is a growing trend of people working from home to achieve a better work-life balance.

The growing demand for organic produce has led to an increase in local farmers' markets.

She watched with growing excitement as the plane descended toward her vacation destination.

One of the most frequent errors learners make with growing is confusing it with the noun 'growth.' While they are related, they function differently in a sentence. 'Growth' is the name of the process (e.g., 'The company's growth was rapid'), whereas 'growing' is the adjective describing the state (e.g., 'The company is a growing business'). Using 'growth' where 'growing' is needed can make a sentence sound clunky or grammatically incorrect. For instance, saying 'a growth concern' is incorrect; the proper phrase is 'a growing concern.' Another common mistake involves the misuse of 'growing' versus 'grown.' 'Grown' is the past participle and describes a completed state, while 'growing' describes an ongoing one. A 'grown man' is an adult, but a 'growing boy' is still a child.

Growing vs. Growth: Mistake: 'We are seeing a growth interest in AI.' Correct: 'We are seeing a growing interest in AI.' Use 'growing' as an adjective before the noun.

Incorrect: The growth population needs more resources. Correct: The growing population needs more resources.

Learners also sometimes struggle with the placement of 'growing' when used with other adjectives. Generally, 'growing' should come before other descriptive adjectives if it is modifying the entire noun phrase. For example, 'a growing international problem' sounds more natural than 'an international growing problem.' Additionally, avoid using 'growing' with words that already imply a fixed state. You wouldn't say 'a growing finished product' because 'finished' contradicts the ongoing nature of 'growing.' Lastly, be careful with the preposition 'up.' 'Growing up' is a phrasal verb specifically for childhood maturation; you cannot use 'growing up' to describe a business expanding its profits.

Mistake: He is growing his hair for two years. Correct: He has been growing his hair for two years. (Use present perfect continuous for duration).

Growing vs. Grown: Mistake: 'The growing plants are ready for harvest.' Correct: 'The grown plants are ready for harvest.' (If they are ready, they have finished growing).

Avoid saying 'more growing.' Instead, use 'rapidly growing' or 'steadily growing' to describe the rate of change.

There is a growing awareness (not 'grow awareness') of the importance of mental health.

The growing list of tasks (not 'grow list') was starting to overwhelm her.

While growing is a fantastic all-purpose word, choosing a more specific alternative can add precision to your writing. If you are talking about something increasing in number or size very quickly, expanding or mushrooming might be more descriptive. In a business context, burgeoning is a sophisticated synonym that suggests rapid and healthy growth, often used for new industries or markets. If the increase is related to intensity or seriousness, such as a conflict or a problem, escalating or mounting are excellent choices. These words carry a heavier emotional weight and suggest that the situation is becoming harder to control.

Growing vs. Increasing: 'Increasing' is more clinical and mathematical. 'Growing' often implies a natural or organic development. You 'increase' a price, but a plant 'grows'.

The burgeoning tech sector in the city has attracted thousands of young professionals.

For physical objects, swelling can be used if the growth is due to internal pressure or fluid, such as a 'swelling river' or a 'swelling injury.' In academic or formal writing, proliferating is used to describe the rapid reproduction of cells or the quick spread of ideas and technologies. If you want to describe a trend that is becoming more popular, emerging is a great alternative, especially for new talents or technologies that are just starting to be noticed. Understanding these nuances allows you to tailor your vocabulary to the specific 'flavor' of the growth you are describing, whether it is the steady rise of a 'growing' child or the sudden 'explosion' of a new trend.

The escalating costs of healthcare are a major concern for many families.

Growing vs. Expanding: 'Expanding' often implies filling a larger space or territory, whereas 'growing' can just mean getting bigger in place.

We are witnessing the proliferation of mobile apps designed to help with productivity.

The mounting excitement in the stadium was palpable as the game reached its final minutes.

The expanding universe is one of the most fascinating topics in modern astrophysics.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The word 'green' actually comes from the same ancient root as 'grow', because plants turn green when they grow.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈɡrəʊ.ɪŋ/

US /ˈɡroʊ.ɪŋ/

The stress is on the first syllable: GROW-ing.

Rhymes With

knowing showing flowing blowing throwing going sowing stowing

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'g' at the end too hard (it should be a soft 'ng').
Confusing the 'ow' sound with 'ow' as in 'now' (it should be 'ow' as in 'know').
Merging the two syllables into one.
Over-emphasizing the 'i' sound in 'ing'.
Dropping the 'r' sound in the beginning.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in most texts.

Writing 3/5

Requires care to distinguish from 'growth'.

Speaking 2/5

Commonly used in daily speech.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation in most dialects.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

grow big more increase plant

Learn Next

burgeoning escalating proliferation stagnation expansion

Advanced

exponential growth sustainable development incremental increase

Grammar to Know

Present Participle as Adjective

The growing storm was scary.

Present Continuous Tense

The economy is growing slowly.

Gerunds as Subjects

Growing vegetables is a fun hobby.

Participial Phrases

Growing more confident, she spoke up.

Phrasal Verbs

He is growing out of his shell.

Examples by Level

The green grass is growing.

Rumput hijau itu sedang tumbuh.

Present continuous verb form.

My little brother is growing fast.

Adik laki-laki saya tumbuh dengan cepat.

Subject + is + growing + adverb.

Are the flowers growing in the garden?

Apakah bunga-bunga itu tumbuh di taman?

Question form of present continuous.

I am growing a plant in a pot.

Saya sedang menanam tanaman di dalam pot.

Transitive use of 'growing'.

The tree is growing near the house.

Pohon itu tumbuh di dekat rumah.

Present continuous indicating location.

Look! The baby is growing every day.

Lihat! Bayi itu tumbuh setiap hari.

Present continuous for ongoing change.

The puppy is growing into a big dog.

Anak anjing itu tumbuh menjadi anjing besar.

Growing + into + noun.

Is your hair growing long?

Apakah rambutmu tumbuh panjang?

Growing + adjective.

This is a growing city with many new buildings.

Ini adalah kota yang sedang berkembang dengan banyak bangunan baru.

Adjective modifying 'city'.

I am growing tired of this game.

Saya mulai merasa bosan dengan permainan ini.

Growing + adjective (becoming).

There is a growing number of cars on the road.

Ada jumlah mobil yang terus bertambah di jalan.

Adjective modifying 'number'.

The weather is growing colder in the evenings.

Cuaca menjadi semakin dingin di malam hari.

Growing + comparative adjective.

He has a growing collection of stamps.

Dia memiliki koleksi prangko yang terus bertambah.

Adjective modifying 'collection'.

The child is growing out of his shoes.

Anak itu sudah tidak muat lagi dengan sepatunya.

Phrasal verb 'growing out of'.

We have a growing family now.

Kami memiliki keluarga yang sedang berkembang sekarang.

Adjective describing a family size increase.

The noise is growing louder and louder.

Suaranya menjadi semakin keras.

Growing + comparative + and + comparative.

There is a growing concern about the environment.

Ada kekhawatiran yang meningkat tentang lingkungan.

Adjective modifying the abstract noun 'concern'.

The company is a growing leader in the tech industry.

Perusahaan ini adalah pemimpin yang sedang berkembang di industri teknologi.

Adjective phrase 'growing leader'.

She felt a growing sense of pride in her work.

Dia merasakan rasa bangga yang meningkat pada pekerjaannya.

Adjective modifying 'sense of pride'.

The growing popularity of yoga is amazing.

Popularitas yoga yang meningkat sungguh luar biasa.

Adjective modifying 'popularity'.

We must deal with the growing demand for energy.

Kita harus menangani permintaan energi yang terus meningkat.

Adjective modifying 'demand'.

Growing up in the city was very exciting for him.

Tumbuh besar di kota sangat menyenangkan baginya.

Gerund phrase as the subject.

The project is experiencing some growing pains.

Proyek ini sedang mengalami beberapa kesulitan awal.

Idiomatic use of 'growing pains'.

There is growing evidence that the plan will work.

Ada bukti yang meningkat bahwa rencana itu akan berhasil.

Adjective modifying 'evidence'.

The growing gap between rich and poor is a major issue.

Kesenjangan yang meningkat antara si kaya dan si miskin adalah masalah utama.

Adjective modifying 'gap'.

Growing more impatient, he decided to leave the meeting.

Semakin tidak sabar, dia memutuskan untuk meninggalkan pertemuan.

Participial phrase showing cause.

The growing complexity of the law makes it hard to understand.

Kompleksitas hukum yang meningkat membuatnya sulit dipahami.

Adjective modifying 'complexity'.

There is a growing consensus that we need to change.

Ada konsensus yang meningkat bahwa kita perlu berubah.

Collocation: 'growing consensus'.

The growing season was cut short by an early frost.

Musim tanam terhenti oleh embun beku yang datang lebih awal.

Compound noun: 'growing season'.

He is a growing influence in the world of modern art.

Dia adalah pengaruh yang berkembang di dunia seni modern.

Adjective modifying 'influence'.

The growing threat of cyberattacks is a top priority.

Ancaman serangan siber yang meningkat adalah prioritas utama.

Adjective modifying 'threat'.

The community is growing stronger every day.

Komunitas ini tumbuh semakin kuat setiap hari.

Growing + comparative adjective.

The growing sophistication of AI is truly remarkable.

Kecanggihan AI yang meningkat sungguh luar biasa.

Adjective modifying 'sophistication'.

We are faced with a growing body of scientific literature.

Kita dihadapkan pada kumpulan literatur ilmiah yang terus bertambah.

Collocation: 'growing body of'.

The growing disparity in educational resources is concerning.

Disparitas yang meningkat dalam sumber daya pendidikan sangat mengkhawatirkan.

Adjective modifying 'disparity'.

Growing weary of the constant noise, she moved to the country.

Karena lelah dengan kebisingan yang terus-menerus, dia pindah ke desa.

Participial phrase used as a reason.

There is a growing realization that the old methods no longer work.

Ada kesadaran yang meningkat bahwa metode lama tidak lagi berhasil.

Adjective modifying 'realization'.

The growing importance of data privacy cannot be overstated.

Pentingnya privasi data yang meningkat tidak bisa dilebih-lebihkan.

Adjective modifying 'importance'.

The growing tension in the region led to a diplomatic crisis.

Ketegangan yang meningkat di wilayah tersebut menyebabkan krisis diplomatik.

Adjective modifying 'tension'.

She has a growing reputation as a brilliant researcher.

Dia memiliki reputasi yang meningkat sebagai peneliti yang brilian.

Adjective modifying 'reputation'.

The growing interdependence of global markets is a double-edged sword.

Saling ketergantangan pasar global yang meningkat adalah pedang bermata dua.

Adjective modifying 'interdependence'.

Growing out of a desire for change, the movement spread rapidly.

Tumbuh dari keinginan untuk perubahan, gerakan itu menyebar dengan cepat.

Participial phrase indicating origin.

The growing obsolescence of traditional media is evident.

Keusangan media tradisional yang meningkat sangat nyata.

Adjective modifying 'obsolescence'.

There is a growing unease about the ethical implications of the study.

Ada kegelisahan yang meningkat tentang implikasi etis dari penelitian tersebut.

Adjective modifying 'unease'.

The growing fragility of the ecosystem requires immediate action.

Kerapuhan ekosistem yang meningkat membutuhkan tindakan segera.

Adjective modifying 'fragility'.

He spoke with growing eloquence as he reached the climax of his speech.

Dia berbicara dengan kefasihan yang meningkat saat mencapai puncak pidatonya.

Adjective modifying 'eloquence'.

The growing convergence of different technologies is creating new industries.

Konvergensi berbagai teknologi yang meningkat menciptakan industri baru.

Adjective modifying 'convergence'.

There is a growing awareness of the subtle biases in our society.

Ada kesadaran yang meningkat tentang bias halus dalam masyarakat kita.

Adjective modifying 'awareness'.

Common Collocations

growing concern

growing number

growing interest

growing popularity

growing demand

growing trend

growing evidence

growing season

growing pains

growing gap

Common Phrases

growing up

— The process of a child becoming an adult.

Growing up in a small town was peaceful.

growing out of

— Becoming too big for something, like clothes or a habit.

He is growing out of his old shoes.

growing into

— Becoming large enough for something or developing into a role.

She is growing into her new position as manager.

growing on someone

— Starting to like something or someone more over time.

This song is really growing on me.

growing apart

— Becoming less close in a relationship over time.

They have been growing apart since they moved.

growing old

— The process of aging.

Growing old is a natural part of life.

growing tired of

— Becoming bored or annoyed with something.

I am growing tired of this constant rain.

growing concern

— An increasing worry about a specific issue.

There is a growing concern about the safety of the bridge.

growing list

— A list that keeps getting longer.

I have a growing list of things to do today.

growing influence

— An increasing power or effect on something.

His growing influence in the company is obvious.

Often Confused With

growing vs growth

Growth is a noun (the process), while growing is an adjective or verb.

growing vs grown

Grown is the past participle (completed), while growing is ongoing.

growing vs great

Great means large or excellent, but doesn't imply the process of increasing.

Idioms & Expressions

"growing pains"

— Difficulties experienced in the early stages of a project or business.

The new software has some growing pains, but it will be great.

neutral

"money doesn't grow on trees"

— Money is limited and must be earned through hard work.

You can't buy everything you want; money doesn't grow on trees.

informal

"to grow on someone"

— To gradually become more liked by someone.

I didn't like the house at first, but it's growing on me.

informal

"to grow like a weed"

— To grow very quickly, usually said of children.

Your son is growing like a weed! He's so tall now.

informal

"to grow into one's own"

— To become confident and successful in one's own right.

After years of practice, she has finally grown into her own as an artist.

neutral

"to grow out of something"

— To stop doing something as you get older.

He finally grew out of his habit of biting his nails.

neutral

"absence makes the heart grow fonder"

— Being away from someone makes you love them more.

I miss my family, but absence makes the heart grow fonder.

neutral

"to grow a thick skin"

— To become less sensitive to criticism or insults.

In politics, you need to grow a thick skin.

informal

"to grow roots"

— To settle down in a place for a long time.

After traveling for years, they decided to grow roots in this city.

neutral

"to grow on trees"

— To be very common or easy to find (usually used in the negative).

Good jobs don't just grow on trees, you know.

informal

Easily Confused

growing vs increasing

Both mean getting bigger.

Increasing is more mathematical; growing is more organic.

The price is increasing. The tree is growing.

growing vs expanding

Both involve getting larger.

Expanding usually means taking up more space.

The balloon is expanding.

growing vs swelling

Both mean getting bigger.

Swelling often implies internal pressure or injury.

His ankle is swelling.

growing vs rising

Both mean going up.

Rising is often used for levels or positions.

The sun is rising.

growing vs developing

Both mean changing over time.

Developing implies becoming more complex.

The child is developing new skills.

Sentence Patterns

Subject + is + growing.

The plant is growing.

Subject + is + growing + adjective.

The boy is growing tall.

There is a growing + noun.

There is a growing interest.

Growing + up + in + place.

Growing up in London was fun.

The growing + noun + of + noun.

The growing popularity of sports.

Growing + adjective, + subject + verb.

Growing angry, he left.

A growing body of + noun.

A growing body of evidence.

The growing + abstract noun + between + A and B.

The growing disparity between rich and poor.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in both spoken and written English.

Common Mistakes

The growth population. → The growing population.
Use the adjective 'growing' to describe the noun 'population'.
He is growing his hair since June. → He has been growing his hair since June.
Use present perfect continuous for an action that started in the past and continues.
I am growing tired to wait. → I am growing tired of waiting.
The correct preposition after 'tired' is 'of', followed by a gerund.
A grown boy. → A growing boy.
A 'grown' person is an adult; a 'growing' boy is still a child.
The growing of the company was fast. → The growth of the company was fast.
Use the noun 'growth' when you need a subject for the sentence.

Tips

Use with Trends

Use 'growing' to describe things that are changing over time, like 'growing interest'.

Verb vs Adjective

Check if you need 'is growing' (action) or 'a growing' (description).

Synonyms

Try 'increasing' for numbers and 'burgeoning' for rapid success.

Growing Pains

Use this phrase to describe early difficulties in a new project.

Soft NG

Don't say the 'g' at the end too loudly.

Placement

Put 'growing' before the noun it describes.

Growth Mindset

This is a popular phrase meaning you believe you can improve.

Plants

'Growing' is the most natural word for plants and trees.

Growing vs Grown

Use 'growing' for ongoing and 'grown' for finished.

Common Pairs

Learn 'growing concern' and 'growing number' as set phrases.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'G'arden 'R'eally 'O'pening 'W'ide with 'ING' (In New Growth).

Visual Association

Imagine a time-lapse video of a tiny seed sprouting into a massive tree.

Word Web

plant child economy problem interest size number trend

Challenge

Write three sentences using 'growing' to describe a feeling, a business, and a plant.

Word Origin

Derived from the Old English word 'growan', which means to flourish or increase.

Original meaning: To sprout, to become green, or to increase in size like a plant.

Germanic (related to Dutch 'groeien' and German 'grünen').

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'growing' to describe a person's weight; it can be seen as impolite.

The term 'growing pains' is very common in English-speaking business culture to excuse early mistakes.

'Growing Pains' (TV Show) 'The Growing Season' (Book) The concept of 'Economic Growth'

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Business

growing market
growing revenue
growing customer base
growing competition

Environment

growing concern
growing threat
growing awareness
growing pollution

Family

growing child
growing family
growing up
growing old

Education

growing interest
growing knowledge
growing field of study
growing demand for courses

Emotions

growing frustration
growing excitement
growing sense of pride
growing unease

Conversation Starters

"Have you noticed the growing number of coffee shops in this neighborhood?"

"What do you think about the growing trend of remote work?"

"Is your interest in learning English growing every day?"

"Do you have a growing collection of anything, like books or music?"

"How do you deal with the growing complexity of modern technology?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a growing interest you have and how it started.

Write about a growing problem in your city and suggest a solution.

Reflect on how you have changed while growing up.

Discuss the growing importance of a specific skill in your career.

Write about a growing friendship and what makes it special.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It can be both! In 'a growing tree,' it is an adjective. In 'the tree is growing,' it is a verb.

No, it's better to say 'rapidly growing' or 'ever-growing'.

'Growing' describes the action or state, while 'growth' is the noun for the process itself.

Use it to talk about a child becoming an adult.

Yes, if it describes something bad like 'growing debt' or 'growing pain'.

Yes, very often, to describe 'growing markets' or 'growing profits'.

It means you are starting to like something more than you did before.

Yes, its use to describe trends and abstract concepts is typical of B1 level.

It is the part of the year when plants can grow, usually between the last frost of spring and the first frost of autumn.

Yes, like 'growing frustration' or 'growing excitement'.