What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
become
Example
She wants to become a doctor when she grows up. [become: verb]
Example
The caterpillar will become a butterfly after it goes through metamorphosis. [become: verb]
grow
Example
The population of the city continues to grow rapidly. [grow: verb]
Example
He grew a beautiful garden in his backyard. [grew: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Grow is more commonly used than become in everyday language. Grow is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, including personal development, physical growth, and the growth of plants or populations. On the other hand, become is less common and tends to be used in more formal or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between become and grow?
While become is typically associated with a more formal or professional tone, grow is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
