What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
outgrowing
Example
She is outgrowing her clothes so quickly that we need to buy new ones every few months. [outgrowing: present participle]
Example
The company is outgrowing its current office space and needs to move to a larger location. [outgrowing: gerund]
Example
As he got older, he started outgrowing his love for video games and became more interested in sports. [outgrowing: present participle]
outgrew
Example
I outgrew my childhood fear of the dark. [outgrew: past tense]
Example
He outgrew his old job and moved on to a more challenging position. [outgrew: past tense]
Example
She outgrew her interest in dolls and started reading books instead. [outgrew: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Outgrew is more commonly used than outgrowing in everyday language, as it is a simple past verb that can be used in a wider range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between outgrowing and outgrew?
Both outgrowing and outgrew are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
