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Phrasal verbs "grow up" vs "grow to"

Differences between grow up and grow to

Grow up refers to the process of maturing and becoming an adult, while grow to means to develop a liking or attachment to something over time.

Meanings and Definitions: grow up vs grow to

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Grow up

  • 1Mature, become adult.

    He GREW UP in the West Country.

  • 2Arise, emerge.

    The industry GREW UP very quickly.

  • 3Develop in a place or for a reason ( city, town, etc ).

    The town GREW UP as a trading post.

Grow to

  • 1Eventually do something.

    We GREW TO like the neighbourhood.

Usage Examples: grow up, grow to in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

grow up

Example

Children grow up so fast these days.

Example

She grows up in a loving family.

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 up

mature

To become more responsible, thoughtful, and emotionally stable as one grows older.

Example

After going through some difficult experiences, he started to mature and make better decisions.

come of age

To reach the legal age of adulthood and gain certain rights and responsibilities.

Example

In many cultures, turning 18 is considered the age when one comes of age and is allowed to vote and drive.

be raised

To be brought up or nurtured by one's parents or guardians.

Example

She was raised in a small town and learned to appreciate the simple things in life.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Grow to

develop a fondness for

To start liking or enjoying something over time.

Example

At first, he didn't like sushi, but after trying it a few times, he developed a fondness for it.

take a liking to

To start enjoying or appreciating someone or something.

Example

She took a liking to her new neighbor and invited her over for dinner.

warm up to

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

Example

At first, the dog was scared of him, but after spending more time together, the dog warmed up to him and became his loyal companion.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “grow”

Phrasal Verbs with “up”

Phrasal Verbs with “to”

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

Frequency in Daily Use: grow up or grow to?

In daily conversation, grow up is more common than grow to. This is because grow up is used to describe a natural process that everyone goes through, while grow to is used less frequently and only in specific contexts.

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

Grow up and grow to are both informal phrases often used in casual conversations. However, grow up can also be used in more formal settings like academic or professional contexts when discussing developmental psychology or personal growth.

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

The tone of grow up and grow to can differ based on context. Grow up can carry a nostalgic or reflective tone when talking about one's childhood or past experiences, while grow to typically has a positive and enthusiastic tone, especially when referring to developing a liking for something.

grow up & grow to: Synonyms and Antonyms

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