Phrasal verbs "grow apart" vs "grow away from"

Differences between grow apart and grow away from

The main difference between grow apart and grow away from is that grow apart is used to describe a natural drifting apart of people or things that were once close, while grow away from is used to describe a deliberate distancing from something or someone due to a change in beliefs or values.

Meanings and Definitions: grow apart vs grow away from

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Grow apart

• 1. Become distant, stop having a close relationship because time, distance, interests, etc, have changed.

  We used to be good friends at school but have since GROWN APART.

Grow away from

• 1. Become less friendly with.

  I have GROWN AWAY FROM many of the people I grew up with.

Usage Examples: grow apart, grow away from in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

grow apart

Example

My childhood friends and I have grown apart over the years.

Example

As they get older, it's natural that the group of friends grows apart.

grow away from

Example

I have grown away from some of my childhood friends.

Example

She grows away from her old friends as she makes new ones.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Grow apart

drift apart

To gradually lose contact or connection with someone or something that was once close.

Example

After graduating from college, we started to drift apart and eventually lost touch.

lose touch

To stop communicating or having contact with someone or something.

Example

We used to be close, but over time we lost touch and now only catch up occasionally.

fall out of touch

To gradually lose contact or communication with someone or something.

Example

We used to talk every day, but we fell out of touch after she moved to another city.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Grow away from

move on from

To leave behind or distance oneself from something or someone in order to pursue new opportunities or experiences.

Example

After years of working in finance, he decided to move on from his career and pursue his passion for art.

outgrow

To become too mature or experienced for something or someone.

Example

As she got older, she outgrew her childhood toys and started to enjoy more sophisticated hobbies.

break away from

To separate oneself from a group or organization in order to pursue one's own goals or beliefs.

Example

He decided to break away from the political party he had been a member of for years because he no longer agreed with their policies.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “grow”

• grow out of
• grow upon
• grow into
• grow back
• grow to

Phrasal Verbs with “apart”

• pull apart
• come apart
• tear apart
• set apart
• tell apart

Phrasal Verbs with “away from”

• shy away from
• walk away from
• get away from
• peel away from
• move away from

Differences in grow apart vs grow away from: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: grow apart or grow away from?

Both phrases are commonly used in everyday conversation, but grow apart is slightly more common. It's often used to describe the gradual loss of connection between friends or family members over time. Grow away from is also used, but it's more specific and usually refers to a conscious decision to distance oneself from a person or thing.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of grow apart and grow away from

Both grow apart and grow away from are informal phrases that are suitable for casual conversations with friends and family. However, in more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of grow apart and grow away from

The tone of grow apart and grow away from can differ based on context. Grow apart often carries a nostalgic or sad tone when referring to the loss of a relationship or connection, while grow away from typically has a more assertive or confident tone, especially when referring to personal growth or change.

grow apart & grow away from: Synonyms and Antonyms

Grow apart

Synonyms

• drift apart
• become distant
• lose touch
• become estranged
• distance oneself

Antonyms

• reconnect
• grow closer
• become closer
• strengthen bonds
• maintain closeness

Grow away from

Synonyms

• drift apart
• become distant
• lose touch
• become estranged
• grow apart

Antonyms

• reconnect
• grow closer
• become closer
• strengthen bonds
• deepen friendship