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B1 Verb (third-person singular present) #19 most common 12 min read

grows

The third-person singular present form of the verb 'grow,' meaning to increase in size, amount, or degree. It also describes the process of a living thing developing or a person becoming more mature.

Top 19

At the A1 level, 'grows' is a basic word used to describe simple physical changes. Students learn that 'grows' is what happens to plants and children. It is often introduced alongside vocabulary for nature and the family. A1 learners focus on the most literal meaning: getting bigger. They might use it in very simple sentences like 'The flower grows' or 'The baby grows.' The emphasis is on recognizing the word and understanding that it describes a natural process of becoming larger. Grammar at this level focuses on the basic 's' ending for third-person singular subjects, although mistakes are common and expected. The goal is to connect the word to visual examples of growth, such as a tall tree or a growing child.

At the A2 level, learners begin to use 'grows' in a wider variety of everyday contexts. They move beyond just plants and people to include things like hair, nails, and simple quantities. They start to understand the difference between 'grow' and 'grows' based on the subject. A2 students might use 'grows' to describe their hobbies or simple routines, such as 'He grows tomatoes in his garden.' They also begin to encounter the phrasal verb 'grow up,' though they might still confuse it with 'grow.' The focus is on building confidence in using the word correctly in short, descriptive sentences about their environment and personal experiences. They are also introduced to basic adverbs like 'fast' or 'slowly' to modify the verb.

At the B1 level, 'grows' is used more flexibly to describe abstract concepts and trends. Learners can talk about the economy, a person's confidence, or a growing problem. They understand that 'grows' can mean 'becomes,' as in 'He grows tired.' B1 students are expected to use the third-person singular 's' consistently and correctly. They can also use 'grows' in more complex sentence structures, including those with subordinate clauses. This level marks the transition from purely physical descriptions to metaphorical ones. For example, a B1 learner might say, 'As he reads more, his knowledge grows.' They are also more aware of common collocations like 'grows rapidly' or 'grows steadily' and can use them to add detail to their speech and writing.

At the B2 level, speakers use 'grows' with a high degree of precision and nuance. They can distinguish between 'grows,' 'increases,' 'expands,' and 'develops' and choose the most appropriate word for the context. B2 learners are comfortable using 'grows' in formal writing, such as essays or reports, to describe complex societal or economic trends. They also have a good command of idiomatic expressions like 'grows on you' and can use them naturally in conversation. At this level, the focus is on stylistic variety and using 'grows' to create more sophisticated and persuasive arguments. They can also handle more advanced grammatical structures, such as using 'grows' in the passive voice or in perfect tenses (though 'grows' itself is present simple).

At the C1 level, 'grows' is used with professional-level fluency. Speakers can use it to describe subtle shifts in tone, atmosphere, or philosophical ideas. They might use it in literary contexts or high-level academic discussions. C1 learners understand the historical and etymological roots of the word and can appreciate its use in poetry or classical literature. They are also adept at using 'grows' to describe complex systems, such as how an ecosystem grows or how a political ideology grows over decades. The focus at this level is on using the word to convey deep meaning and to engage in nuanced debate. They can effortlessly switch between literal and metaphorical uses, often using the word to create vivid imagery in their communication.

At the C2 level, the use of 'grows' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. Learners can use the word in all its forms and contexts with absolute precision. They can play with the word's meaning in creative writing or use it to describe the most abstract and complex phenomena in science or philosophy. C2 speakers are also aware of rare or archaic uses of the word and can understand them in historical texts. They can use 'grows' to convey subtle irony, metaphor, or emphasis. At this level, the word is just one tool in a vast and sophisticated vocabulary, used with perfect grammatical accuracy and a deep understanding of its cultural and linguistic weight.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

grows in 30 Seconds

Grows is the third-person singular present form of the verb grow, used with subjects like he, she, it, or singular nouns.
It primarily means to increase in physical size, such as a plant getting taller or a child getting bigger.
It also describes abstract increases, such as a business expanding, a feeling becoming stronger, or a population rising.
It can function as a linking verb meaning 'becomes,' as in 'he grows old' or 'it grows dark.'

The word grows is the third-person singular present form of the verb 'grow.' It is a fundamental English verb used to describe the natural progression of life, the expansion of physical dimensions, and the increase in abstract quantities. At its core, 'grows' signifies a transition from a smaller or less complex state to a larger, more mature, or more significant state. This transformation can be biological, such as when a seedling becomes a tree, or metaphorical, such as when a small business becomes a global corporation. Understanding 'grows' requires recognizing its role in describing ongoing, habitual, or factual processes that involve the subject 'he,' 'she,' 'it,' or a singular noun.

Biological Development: In biology, 'grows' describes the process by which living organisms increase in size and complexity through cell division and nutrient absorption. It is the primary verb used to discuss the lifecycle of plants, animals, and humans in the present tense. For example, a gardener might observe that a specific species of fern grows better in the shade than in direct sunlight.

The bamboo plant grows incredibly fast during the rainy season.

Economic and Quantitative Increase: Beyond biology, 'grows' is a staple in business and economics. It describes the upward trajectory of profits, market share, or population numbers. When an analyst says a company's revenue grows by ten percent annually, they are highlighting a consistent pattern of success and expansion. This usage is vital for professional communication and reporting.

Personal and Emotional Maturity: We also use 'grows' to describe the development of character, skills, and emotions. As a person faces challenges, their confidence grows. This abstract usage allows speakers to discuss internal changes that are not visible to the eye but are deeply felt. It suggests a process of becoming wiser, stronger, or more capable over time.

Her passion for classical music grows with every concert she attends.

The child grows out of his shoes every few months.

The tension in the room grows as the deadline approaches.

As the city grows, more infrastructure is needed to support the residents.

In everyday conversation, 'grows' appears in various contexts, from discussing the weather's effect on crops to describing how a beard grows. It is a versatile word that bridges the gap between scientific observation and casual storytelling. Whether you are describing a physical expansion or a psychological shift, 'grows' provides a clear and concise way to express the concept of advancement and enlargement. Its frequency in English makes it an essential component of a learner's vocabulary, particularly when discussing habits, facts, and general truths about the world around us.

Using grows correctly requires a solid grasp of subject-verb agreement. Because 'grows' is the third-person singular present form, it must always be paired with a singular subject like 'he,' 'she,' 'it,' or a singular noun such as 'the tree,' 'the economy,' or 'the child.' This is one of the most common areas where learners make mistakes, often forgetting the 's' at the end of the verb. Mastery of this form is a hallmark of reaching the B1 level of English proficiency, as it demonstrates a consistent application of grammatical rules in real-time communication.

Intransitive Usage: In many cases, 'grows' is used intransitively, meaning it does not require a direct object. For example, 'The corn grows.' Here, the focus is entirely on the action of the subject. This is common when discussing natural phenomena or general trends where the cause of the growth is either obvious or secondary to the fact of the growth itself.

The demand for renewable energy grows every year as people become more environmentally conscious.

Linking Verb Usage: 'Grows' can also function as a linking verb, connecting the subject to an adjective that describes its state. In this context, it is similar to the verb 'becomes.' For instance, 'He grows tired' means he is becoming tired. This usage is particularly common when describing gradual changes in physical or emotional states, such as growing old, growing weary, or growing fond of something.

Transitive Usage (Growing Something): While 'grows' often describes a subject's own expansion, it can also be used transitively when a person or entity is responsible for the growth of something else. For example, 'The farmer grows wheat.' In this structure, the subject (the farmer) is the agent performing the action on the object (wheat). This is a vital distinction to make when describing occupations or hobbies related to agriculture and gardening.

She grows organic vegetables in her backyard to ensure her family eats healthy food.

The company grows its client base by offering exceptional customer service.

As the sun sets, the shadow of the mountain grows longer across the valley.

The puppy grows more energetic as the evening progresses.

When constructing sentences with 'grows,' consider the speed and nature of the growth. Adverbs like 'rapidly,' 'steadily,' 'slowly,' or 'exponentially' can add significant detail to your descriptions. For example, saying 'The population grows rapidly' provides much more information than simply 'The population grows.' By combining 'grows' with appropriate subjects, objects, and modifiers, you can create nuanced and accurate descriptions of the dynamic world we live in.

The word grows is ubiquitous in various professional and social environments. You will encounter it in news broadcasts, scientific journals, casual conversations, and business meetings. Its versatility allows it to fit seamlessly into diverse topics, making it a high-frequency word that every English learner should be comfortable using and hearing. Because it describes change and progress, it is naturally suited for discussions about the future, history, and current events.

In News and Media: Journalists frequently use 'grows' when reporting on societal trends. Whether it is a growing concern about climate change, a growing interest in a new political movement, or a growing number of people moving to urban areas, the word helps frame the story as an evolving situation. It conveys a sense of momentum and importance that captures the audience's attention.

Public frustration grows as the government fails to address the rising cost of living.

In Science and Nature Documentaries: Narrators in nature documentaries often use 'grows' to describe the development of flora and fauna. They might explain how a particular species of coral grows in the Great Barrier Reef or how a baby elephant grows under the protection of the herd. In these contexts, 'grows' is used to educate the viewer about the biological realities of the natural world.

In Business and Finance: In the corporate world, 'grows' is a key term in performance reviews and financial reports. Managers might discuss how an employee's skill set grows over time, or a CEO might present a chart showing how the company's market value grows quarter by quarter. It is a word associated with success, expansion, and positive development.

The startup grows its user base by ten thousand new members every month.

As the interest rate grows, the cost of borrowing money becomes more expensive for homeowners.

The moss grows on the north side of the trees in this damp forest.

The list of participants grows longer as the event date approaches.

In casual settings, you might hear a parent marvel at how quickly their child grows, or a friend mention how a certain hobby grows on them over time. The word is deeply embedded in the way we describe our lives and the world around us. By paying attention to how 'grows' is used in different contexts, you can gain a deeper understanding of its nuances and improve your own ability to communicate effectively in English.

Even though grows is a relatively simple word, learners often encounter pitfalls when using it. These mistakes usually stem from grammatical confusion, incorrect word choice, or a misunderstanding of idiomatic expressions. By identifying these common errors, you can avoid them and speak more accurately. The most frequent error is related to the third-person singular 's,' which is a persistent challenge for many non-native speakers.

Subject-Verb Agreement Errors: The most common mistake is saying 'he grow' or 'the plant grow' instead of 'he grows' or 'the plant grows.' This error occurs because many languages do not have a specific verb ending for the third-person singular. In English, this 's' is mandatory in the present simple tense. Conversely, learners sometimes add an 's' where it doesn't belong, such as 'they grows,' which is also incorrect.

Incorrect: The population grow every year.
Correct: The population grows every year.

Confusing 'Grows' with 'Grows Up': Another frequent error is using 'grows' when 'grows up' is required. 'Grows' refers to physical size or quantity, while 'grows up' specifically refers to the process of a child becoming an adult. You would say 'The tree grows,' but 'The boy grows up.' Using 'grows' for a person's maturity can sound unnatural or even imply they are physically getting larger rather than maturing emotionally.

Misusing 'Grows' as a Transitive Verb: Learners sometimes use 'grows' transitively in contexts where it doesn't fit. While you can 'grow a business' or 'grow vegetables,' you cannot 'grow a child' in the sense of raising them. For children, the correct verbs are 'raise' or 'bring up.' Saying 'She grows her children' is a common mistake that sounds very strange to native speakers.

Incorrect: She grows her son in a small town.
Correct: She raises her son in a small town.

Incorrect: My hair is growing up fast.
Correct: My hair grows fast.

Incorrect: The economy grows up by 2%.
Correct: The economy grows by 2%.

Incorrect: He grows taller and taller. (This is actually correct, but often confused with 'grows up').

Finally, be careful with the idiom 'grows on you.' It means you start to like something more over time. It does not mean something is physically growing on your body! If you say 'The city grows on me,' it means you are starting to enjoy living there. Misunderstanding this can lead to humorous but confusing situations. By keeping these common mistakes in mind, you can use 'grows' with confidence and precision.

While grows is a highly versatile word, using it repeatedly can make your writing or speech feel repetitive. Depending on the context, there are many synonyms and alternatives that can provide more precision or a different tone. Understanding the subtle differences between these words will help you choose the most appropriate one for your specific situation, whether you are writing a formal report or having a casual conversation.

Increases vs. Grows: 'Increases' is often more formal and is frequently used in technical, scientific, or financial contexts. While 'grows' can imply a natural or organic process, 'increases' simply refers to a higher number or amount. For example, 'The temperature increases' sounds more scientific than 'The temperature grows,' which is rarely used.

The number of students increases every semester.

Expands vs. Grows: 'Expands' specifically refers to an increase in physical size, volume, or scope. It is often used for businesses opening new locations or for physical objects like balloons. While a business 'grows,' it 'expands' into new markets. 'Expands' suggests a more deliberate and outward movement than the more general 'grows.'

Develops vs. Grows: 'Develops' implies a process of becoming more advanced, complex, or mature. It is often used for skills, ideas, or biological stages. A child 'grows' (gets taller) but 'develops' (learns new skills). 'Develops' focuses on the quality and complexity of the change rather than just the size or quantity.

The plot of the novel develops slowly over several chapters.

The city spreads across the plains as new suburbs are built.

Her influence extends far beyond her local community.

The plant matures within six months of planting.

Choosing the right alternative depends on what aspect of growth you want to highlight. If you are talking about a garden, 'flourishes' might be better. If you are talking about a budget, 'increases' is more appropriate. By expanding your vocabulary to include these alternatives, you can make your English sound more natural, precise, and sophisticated. Practice substituting 'grows' with these words in different sentences to see how the meaning and tone change.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The word 'grows' is related to the word 'green,' as both come from the same ancient root meaning to sprout or flourish.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɡrəʊz/

US /ɡroʊz/

Single syllable word, so the stress is on the entire word.

Rhymes With

shows knows goes flows blows glows toes rows

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 's' as an 's' instead of a 'z' sound.
Using a short 'o' sound like in 'got'.
Dropping the 's' entirely.
Adding an extra syllable (e.g., grow-es).
Confusing the vowel sound with 'grouse'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in text, but nuances in meaning require attention.

Writing 3/5

Requires consistent application of third-person singular 's'.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation of the final 'z' sound can be tricky for some.

Listening 2/5

Generally clear, but can be confused with 'grow' in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

grow plant big tall become

Learn Next

increase expand develop mature flourish

Advanced

exponential stagnation proliferation augmentation evolution

Grammar to Know

Third-person singular present 's'

He grows (not 'He grow').

Linking verbs with adjectives

She grows weary (not 'She grows wearily').

Transitive vs. Intransitive

The wheat grows (Intransitive). The farmer grows wheat (Transitive).

Present Simple for general truths

Bamboo grows fast.

Phrasal verbs

He grows up in London.

Examples by Level

The green grass grows in the sun.

The green grass becomes taller when the sun shines.

Grass is a singular noun, so we use 'grows'.

My little brother grows every day.

My brother is getting bigger.

Brother is 'he', so we add 's' to grow.

A flower grows in the pot.

There is a flower getting bigger in the container.

Flower is singular.

The cat grows big.

The kitten is becoming a large cat.

Cat is 'it'.

The apple grows on the tree.

The fruit is getting bigger on the branch.

Apple is singular.

He grows tall.

He is becoming a tall person.

Third person singular 'he'.

The corn grows in summer.

Corn becomes big during the hot months.

Corn is uncountable but treated as singular.

The baby grows fast.

The infant is getting bigger very quickly.

Baby is singular.

He grows vegetables in his small garden.

He plants and takes care of vegetables.

Transitive use of 'grows'.

The puppy grows into a strong dog.

The young dog becomes a powerful adult.

Use 'into' to show the result.

Her hair grows very slowly.

Her hair does not get long quickly.

Hair is treated as singular.

The city grows every year.

More people and buildings are in the city.

City is singular.

He grows tired after work.

He becomes sleepy or exhausted.

Linking verb usage.

The plant grows towards the light.

The plant moves as it gets bigger.

Prepositional phrase 'towards the light'.

She grows flowers for her mother.

She raises flowers as a gift.

Subject-verb-object structure.

The list grows longer.

More names are added to the list.

Comparative adjective 'longer'.

The economy grows at a steady rate.

The country's wealth increases regularly.

Abstract noun 'economy'.

His confidence grows as he practices speaking.

He feels more sure of himself.

Abstract growth.

The gap between the rich and poor grows wider.

The difference is increasing.

Social context.

This music really grows on you after a while.

You start to like the music more.

Idiomatic phrasal verb.

The suspicion grows that he is lying.

People are starting to think he is not truthful.

Used with a 'that' clause.

As the population grows, we need more schools.

More people means more education is needed.

Subordinate clause with 'as'.

The company grows its business by using social media.

They use apps to get more customers.

Transitive use in business.

The shadow grows as the sun goes down.

The dark area gets bigger in the evening.

Natural phenomenon.

The tension grows as the two leaders meet.

The feeling of stress increases.

Describing atmosphere.

Her reputation as a doctor grows every day.

More people respect her work.

Growth of status.

The demand for electric cars grows exponentially.

The need is increasing very, very fast.

Using a technical adverb.

He grows increasingly frustrated with the delays.

He is becoming more and more annoyed.

Adverb 'increasingly' + adjective.

The legend grows with every retelling of the story.

The story becomes more famous and detailed.

Growth of a narrative.

As the conflict grows, more refugees flee the area.

The war is getting worse.

Serious political context.

The tumor grows despite the intensive treatment.

The medical problem is getting larger.

Medical context.

The bond between the two friends grows stronger.

Their friendship is becoming deeper.

Emotional connection.

The complexity of the software grows with each update.

The program becomes harder to understand.

Technical complexity.

A sense of unease grows throughout the community.

People are feeling more worried.

Abstract collective feeling.

The influence of the philosopher grows after his death.

His ideas become more important later.

Historical influence.

The tree grows in spite of the poor soil quality.

It gets bigger even though the ground is bad.

Concessive phrase 'in spite of'.

The debate grows more heated as new evidence emerges.

The argument becomes more intense.

Dynamic situation.

His resentment grows until he can no longer hide it.

His anger increases over time.

Temporal clause 'until'.

The disparity in wealth grows despite government efforts.

The difference between rich and poor is increasing.

Socio-economic analysis.

The importance of data privacy grows in the digital age.

Protecting information is more vital now.

Contemporary relevance.

The symphonic structure grows from a simple three-note motif.

The whole music comes from a small part.

Artistic development.

A profound silence grows in the wake of the tragedy.

It becomes very quiet after the sad event.

Literary description.

The scope of the project grows beyond its original mandate.

The work is now more than planned.

Administrative context.

The ambiguity of the text grows upon closer inspection.

The meaning becomes less clear when you look carefully.

Academic criticism.

The seedling grows, oblivious to the storm raging above.

The small plant is unaware of the bad weather.

Personification/Literary.

The mountain grows smaller in the distance as we drive away.

It looks smaller because we are far.

Perceptual growth/shrinkage.

The narrative grows more convoluted with every chapter.

The story is becoming very complicated.

Literary analysis.

The resentment grows like a cancer within the organization.

The bad feeling spreads and destroys things.

Simile usage.

Common Collocations

grows rapidly

grows steadily

grows exponentially

grows tired

grows fond of

grows out of

grows up

grows dark

grows wild

grows impatient

Common Phrases

The list grows

The tension grows

The economy grows

Confidence grows

A problem grows

The shadow grows

The gap grows

Interest grows

The plant grows

Knowledge grows

Often Confused With

grows vs grow

Used for plural subjects (they grow) or 'I' and 'you'.

grows vs grew

The past tense form (happened before).

grows vs grown

The past participle form (used with 'have' or as an adjective).

Idioms & Expressions

"Money doesn't grow on trees"

Money is limited and requires effort to earn; you should not waste it.

You can't have a new phone; money doesn't grow on trees!

Informal

"Grows on you"

To gradually start to like someone or something more.

I didn't like this song at first, but it grows on you.

Informal

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder"

You feel more love for someone when you are away from them.

They have been apart for a month, and absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Neutral

"Grow like a weed"

To grow very quickly, often used to describe children.

Look at your son! He grows like a weed.

Informal

"Grass grows under one's feet"

To waste time or delay doing something (usually used in the negative).

He never lets the grass grow under his feet; he is always busy.

Idiomatic

"Grows out of all proportion"

To become much more serious or important than it should be.

The small argument grows out of all proportion.

Neutral

"Grows into one's own"

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

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

Neutral

"Grows cold"

To lose interest or for a trail/clue to become old and useless.

The investigation grows cold after six months without a lead.

Neutral

"Grows on trees"

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

Good employees don't grow on trees.

Informal

"Watch the grass grow"

To do something very boring.

Waiting for the bus is like watching the grass grow.

Informal

Easily Confused

grows vs raise

Both involve making something bigger.

'Raise' is always transitive (you raise a child), while 'grows' can be intransitive.

She raises her kids, but the corn grows.

grows vs increase

Both mean getting bigger.

'Increase' is better for numbers; 'grows' is better for living things or trends.

The price increases, but the plant grows.

grows vs expand

Both mean getting bigger.

'Expand' usually means getting wider or taking up more space.

The balloon expands, but the child grows.

grows vs develop

Both involve change over time.

'Develop' focuses on complexity; 'grows' focuses on size.

The city grows (more buildings), but the plan develops (more details).

grows vs mature

Both mean getting older.

'Mature' implies reaching a final, adult state.

The boy grows, and eventually he matures.

Sentence Patterns

The [noun] grows.

The tree grows.

He grows [noun].

He grows roses.

It grows [adjective].

It grows dark.

The [noun] grows [adverb].

The economy grows slowly.

As [subject] grows, [result].

As the child grows, he needs more food.

The [abstract noun] grows in [context].

The importance of technology grows in education.

Subject grows into [noun].

The idea grows into a movement.

Subject grows [adjective] to [verb].

He grows anxious to leave the party.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very High

Common Mistakes

The tree grow fast. → The tree grows fast.
The subject 'tree' is singular, so the verb needs an 's'.
They grows vegetables. → They grow vegetables.
'They' is plural, so you should not use the 's'.
He is growing up tomatoes. → He is growing tomatoes.
'Grow up' is only for people/maturity, not for plants.
The economy grows up by 5%. → The economy grows by 5%.
The phrasal verb 'grow up' is incorrect here; use 'grows' for numbers.
She grows her daughter in New York. → She raises her daughter in New York.
You 'raise' children; you don't 'grow' them.

Tips

Check the Subject

Always look at the subject before writing. If it's one person or thing, use 'grows'.

Use Adverbs

Add words like 'rapidly' or 'slowly' to make your sentences more interesting.

The 'Z' Sound

Practice saying 'grows' with a buzzing 'z' sound at the end.

Business Context

Use 'grows' to describe company success in your professional emails.

Context Clues

If you hear 'grows,' the speaker is likely talking about a singular subject.

Plant Imagery

Visualize a single plant growing to remember the singular 's'.

Grows on You

Use this phrase to describe movies or food you eventually liked.

No 'Grows Up' for Plants

Remember: Plants 'grow,' they don't 'grow up'.

Vary Your Verbs

Don't use 'grows' every time; try 'increases' or 'expands' for variety.

Quantitative Growth

In essays, use 'grows' to describe the development of arguments.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the 's' in 'grows' as a small 'seed' that is starting to sprout.

Visual Association

Imagine a flower (the subject) slowly getting taller (grows) in the sun.

Word Web

plant business child economy hair confidence tension size

Challenge

Try to write five sentences about things that 'grow' in your city using only the third-person singular.

Word Origin

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

Original meaning: To manifest life, to sprout, or to increase in size.

Germanic

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'grows' to describe a person's weight, as it can be sensitive; 'gains weight' is more common.

Commonly used in gardening, which is a popular hobby in the United Kingdom and United States.

'Money doesn't grow on trees' (Common proverb) 'How Does Your Garden Grow?' (Agatha Christie title) 'The tree of liberty must be refreshed...' (Thomas Jefferson)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Gardening

grows in the shade
grows from a seed
grows tall
grows wild

Business

grows the business
grows the market
grows the team
grows the profit

Childhood

grows up
grows out of clothes
grows fast
grows like a weed

Emotions

grows tired
grows fond
grows angry
grows impatient

Trends

grows in popularity
grows in importance
grows rapidly
grows steadily

Conversation Starters

"How fast does your hair usually grow?"

"What kind of plant grows best in your home?"

"Do you think the city where you live grows too quickly?"

"Has a certain type of music ever grown on you after you hated it at first?"

"In what ways does a person's character grow as they get older?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a time when your confidence grew because of a challenge you faced.

Write about a business or project you know that grows every year.

Think about a garden. What grows there and how do you take care of it?

How does a person's perspective grow when they travel to a new country?

Write about a habit that grows on you over time, for better or worse.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, 'grows up' means the child is becoming an adult. If you just say 'grows,' it usually means they are getting taller.

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in formal business and economic reports.

'Grows' is for facts or habits (The sun helps plants grow). 'Is growing' is for something happening right now (Look, the plant is growing!).

Yes, you can say 'The problem grows' or 'The cancer grows.'

Use it when you start to like something you didn't like at first. 'This city grows on you.'

Yes, in this form it is always the third-person singular present verb.

Yes, it means he is letting his hair get longer.

It means to become too big for something (like clothes) or to stop doing a habit as you get older.

Yes, you can say 'It grows cold' or 'The storm grows stronger.'

Rarely. We usually say 'Rice is grown in Asia' (using the past participle 'grown').