Grow Verb Forms: Present, Past, and Participle

The verb grow changes form depending on tense: present tense is grow (or grows for third-person singular), past tense is grew, and the past participle is grown. These three forms are used in different contexts, from describing ongoing actions to completed events and perfect tenses.

Quick Answer: Grow Verb Forms

• Base form (present): grow
• Third-person singular present: grows
• Past tense: grew
• Past participle: grown
• Present participle / gerund: growing

Present Tense Forms of Grow

The present tense of grow is used for things that are happening now, habits, or general truths. Use grow with I, you, we, and they. Use grows with he, she, and it.

Examples in Present Tense

• I grow tomatoes in my backyard every summer.
• She grows impatient when the train is late.
• Plants grow toward sunlight.
• He grows his own herbs for cooking.

Context note: In everyday conversation, present tense grow often describes a regular activity or a natural process. In formal writing, it can be used for scientific facts or ongoing trends.

Past Tense: Grew

The past tense of grow is grew. Use it for actions that started and finished in the past. There is no variation for person or number—grew works for all subjects.

Examples with Grew

• Last year, the company grew by 20 percent.
• She grew up in a small town.
• We grew tired of the constant noise.
• The seedlings grew quickly after the rain.

Email and conversation context: In a professional email, you might write, “Our team grew significantly last quarter.” In casual conversation, you might say, “I grew out of that hobby years ago.” Both are correct, but the tone shifts from formal to informal.

Past Participle: Grown

The past participle of grow is grown. It is used with auxiliary verbs to form perfect tenses (have/has/had grown) and passive voice (is grown, was grown).

Examples with Grown

• They have grown a beautiful rose garden.
• She had grown accustomed to the cold weather.
• These vegetables are grown without pesticides.
• By the time we arrived, the children had grown bored.

Nuance: Grown as a past participle often implies a completed process or a change of state. For example, “He has grown taller” suggests a finished change, while “He is growing taller” describes an ongoing process.

Comparison Table: Grow Verb Forms

Natural Examples in Context

Here are examples that show how grow is used naturally in different situations:

• Conversation: “My hair grows really fast, so I need a haircut every month.”
• Email: “Our customer base has grown steadily since the new product launch.”
• Storytelling: “He grew more confident with each presentation he gave.”
• Instruction: “Make sure the seeds are grown in well-drained soil.”
• Observation: “The city is growing so quickly that new schools are needed every year.”

Common Mistakes with Grow

Even advanced learners sometimes mix up the forms of grow. Here are the most frequent errors:

Mistake 1: Using “growed” as past tense

Incorrect: “The tree growed very tall.”
Correct: “The tree grew very tall.”

Grow is an irregular verb, so it does not take the -ed ending.

Mistake 2: Confusing “grew” and “grown”

Incorrect: “She has grew tired of waiting.”
Correct: “She has grown tired of waiting.”

Use grown after has, have, or had.

Mistake 3: Using “grow” instead of “grows” for third person

Incorrect: “He grow vegetables in his garden.”
Correct: “He grows vegetables in his garden.”

Remember to add -s for he, she, it in present tense.

Mistake 4: Using “grown” without an auxiliary verb

Incorrect: “They grown apart over the years.”
Correct: “They have grown apart over the years.”

The past participle needs a helper verb like have or had.

Better Alternatives and When to Use Them

Sometimes grow is not the best word choice. Here are alternatives for specific contexts:

• Increase – Use for numbers, profits, or statistics in formal reports. Example: “Revenue increased by 15%.”
• Expand – Use for physical size or scope. Example: “The company expanded into new markets.”
• Develop – Use for skills, ideas, or personal growth. Example: “She developed her leadership abilities.”
• Mature – Use for emotional or intellectual growth. Example: “He matured after the experience.”
• Evolve – Use for gradual, complex changes. Example: “The design evolved over several years.”

When to use grow: Stick with grow for natural processes, physical growth, and casual or general contexts. It is the most direct and widely understood verb for these situations.

Mini Practice: Test Your Knowledge

Fill in the blank with the correct form of grow. Answers are below.

1. Last summer, the flowers in our garden ______ beautifully.
2. She ______ her own vegetables every year.
3. They have ______ a successful business from scratch.
4. By the time we moved, the tree ______ over ten feet tall.

Answers

1. grew
2. grows
3. grown
4. had grown

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is “growed” ever correct?

No. Growed is not a standard English word. The correct past tense is grew, and the past participle is grown.

2. Can “grow” be used as a transitive verb?

Yes. For example, “She grows roses” means she cultivates them. Grow can be transitive (with a direct object) or intransitive (without one), as in “The roses grow quickly.”

3. What is the difference between “grew” and “has grown”?

Grew is simple past, used for a completed action at a specific time. Has grown is present perfect, used for an action that started in the past and continues or has relevance now. Example: “He grew tall last year” (finished) vs. “He has grown tall” (still relevant).

4. Is “growing” a gerund or a participle?

It can be both. As a present participle: “The growing child needs more food.” As a gerund: “Growing vegetables is my hobby.” The context determines the function.

For more help with verb forms, explore our Verb Forms Explained section. If you have questions about past tense usage, visit Past Tense Forms or Past Participle Forms. To avoid common errors, check Common Verb Mistakes. For general inquiries, see our FAQ page.