What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cultivate
Example
The farmer cultivates the land every spring to grow crops. [cultivates: verb]
Example
She has been cultivating her painting skills for years. [cultivating: gerund or present participle]
grow
Example
The tomato plant grew tall and produced many fruits. [grew: past tense]
Example
He has grown into a responsible and mature adult. [grown: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Grow is more commonly used than cultivate in everyday language. Grow is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while cultivate is less common and often used in specific contexts such as gardening or personal development.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cultivate and grow?
Both cultivate and grow can be used in formal and informal contexts, but cultivate may be perceived as more formal due to its Latin roots and specific usage in certain fields such as agriculture or education.
