Conjugation of "Grow" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage
To increase in size, length, or amount; to develop or expand naturally.
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All 12 Tenses of "Grow"
Quick reference table — every tense form of "grow" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.
| Tense | Example (I) | Quick rule |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | I grow |
Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule → |
| Simple Past | I grew |
Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule → |
| Simple Future | I will grow |
Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule → |
| Present Continuous | I am growing |
Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule → |
| Past Continuous | I was growing |
Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule → |
| Future Continuous | I will be growing |
Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect | I have grown |
Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect | I had grown |
Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect | I will have grown |
Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect Continuous | I have been growing |
Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect Continuous | I had been growing |
Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect Continuous | I will have been growing |
Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule → |
Past Tense of "Grow" — Grew
The past simple of "grow" is "grew". Use it for completed actions at a specific past time. Because "grow" is irregular, "grew" is not formed by adding -ed — you have to memorize this form. See our simple past tense guide for a deeper explanation of the simple past.
Past Participle of "Grow" — Grown
The past participle of "grow" is "grown". Use it after "have/has/had" for the perfect tenses ("I have grown"), and after "be" for passive constructions ("It was grown"). Because "grow" is irregular, "grown" is not the same as the past simple — students often confuse the two forms.
- The child has grown five centimeters this year. A1
Is "Grow" Regular or Irregular?
"Grow" is an irregular English verb. Its principal parts are: base form "grow", past simple "grew", and past participle "grown". The 3rd-person singular present is "grows" and the present participle/gerund is "growing". Conjugation pattern: ablaut: grow-grew-grown.
Conjugation pattern: ablaut: grow-grew-grown
How to Pronounce "Grow" and Its Forms
Grow: /ɡroʊ/ — Stress pattern: O
The 'ow' sounds like the 'o' in 'note'; stress on one syllable.
Common mispronunciation of "grow"
Sometimes pronounced like 'gray' instead of the 'o' sound in 'go'.
How to Use "Grow" — Common Grammar Patterns
Use 'grow' for natural development or increase; 'grow up' for becoming an adult.
S + V + adjective (grow tall)S + V + adverb (grow quickly)
Example Sentences with "Grow" in Different Tenses
- Simple Present: Plants grow taller in the spring. A1
Common Collocations with "Grow"
- grow up
- grow tall
- grow rapidly
When to Use "Grow" vs Similar Verbs
Smart synonyms — when to use each one
- develop — when emphasizing natural progression or maturation over time
- expand — when the growth involves spreading outward or getting
Antonyms: shrink, decrease
Common Mistakes with "Grow"
-
Wrong: She grow often.
Correct: She grows often.
Add "s" to the verb when the subject is third-person singular (he/she/it).
Origin and Etymology of "Grow"
From Old English 'growan', related to grass and grain.
Other Forms of "Grow"
- Noun: growth
- Adjective: grown
Conjugation Tables for "Grow"
Negative Forms
- Simple present: I do not grow · He does not grow
- Simple past: I did not grow · She did not grow
- Present perfect: I have not grown · He has not grown
Question Forms
- Simple present: Do you grow? · Does he grow?
- Simple past: Did you grow?
- Present perfect: Have you grown?
Passive Voice (where applicable)
- Simple present passive: It is grown
- Simple past passive: It was grown
- Present perfect passive: It has been grown
Frequently Asked Questions About "Grow"
- Is "grow" regular or irregular?
- "grow" is an irregular verb. Its past simple is "grew" and past participle is "grown". You must memorize these forms.
- What is the past tense of "grow"?
- The simple past of "grow" is "grew".
- What's the difference between the past simple and past participle of "grow"?
- The past simple is "grew" and the past participle is "grown". Use past simple for completed past actions ("I grew yesterday"). Use past participle with have/has ("I have grown").