Phrasal verbs "grow back" vs "grow to"

Differences between grow back and grow to

Grow back means to regrow something that was lost or cut off, while grow to means to develop a liking or affection for someone or something over time.

Meanings and Definitions: grow back vs grow to

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Grow back

  • 1Grow again.

    Nails GROW BACK quickly after you cut them.

Grow to

  • 1Eventually do something.

    We GREW TO like the neighbourhood.

Usage Examples: grow back, grow to in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

grow back

Example

After I cut my hair, it will grow back in a few months.

Example

The grass grows back quickly after being mowed.

grow to

Example

I grew to appreciate her sense of humor.

Example

He grows to love the new city he moved to.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Grow back

To regrow or reform something that was lost or damaged.

Example

The lizard's tail will regenerate after it falls off as a defense mechanism.

To restore or revive something that was lost or expired.

Example

After a long winter, the trees renewed their leaves and bloomed again in the spring.

To recover from an illness or injury and regain strength or health.

Example

She took a few days off work to recuperate after her surgery and returned feeling much better.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Grow to

To gradually start to enjoy or appreciate someone or something.

Example

At first, she didn't like sushi, but over time she developed a liking for it and now eats it regularly.

warm up to

To become more friendly or receptive to someone or something over time.

Example

It took a while, but eventually, he warmed up to his new coworkers and started to enjoy working with them.

To immediately like or be attracted to someone or something.

Example

She took a shine to the stray cat and decided to adopt it as her own.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “back”

Phrasal Verbs with “to”

Differences in grow back vs grow to: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: grow back or grow to?

In daily conversation, people use grow to more often than grow back. This is because grow to is used to describe the development of feelings or preferences, which is a common topic in everyday interactions. Grow back is less commonly used, as it's usually only relevant when discussing regrowth or recovery.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of grow back and grow to

Grow back and grow to are both informal phrases that are suitable for casual conversations. However, grow to can also be used in more formal settings, such as in writing or speeches, to describe the gradual development of an idea or concept.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of grow back and grow to

The tone of grow back and grow to can differ based on context. Grow back often carries a hopeful or optimistic tone when related to regrowth or recovery, while grow to typically has a positive and affectionate tone, especially when referring to developing feelings for someone or something.

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