Past Participle of Grow: Meaning and Examples
The past participle of grow is grown. This form is used with auxiliary verbs like have, has, or had to create perfect tenses, and with be to form passive sentences. For example, you say “The plant has grown tall” (present perfect) or “The crops were grown in this field” (passive voice). Unlike the simple past tense grew, which stands alone, grown always needs a helper verb. This guide explains exactly how to use grown correctly, with clear examples for writing, conversation, and email.
Quick Answer: Grown
Grown is the past participle of grow. Use it with have, has, had, or forms of be. It describes something that has increased in size, developed, or been cultivated.
- Present perfect: has/have grown
- Past perfect: had grown
- Passive voice: is/are/was/were grown
Forms of Grow
| Base Form | Simple Past | Past Participle |
|---|---|---|
| grow | grew | grown |
When to Use Grown
Perfect Tenses
Use grown with have, has, or had to show that growth happened before now or before another past event.
- Present perfect: “She has grown a lot since last year.” (The growth is relevant now.)
- Past perfect: “By the time we moved, the tree had grown over the fence.” (The growth was complete before the move.)
Passive Voice
Use grown with be verbs when the focus is on the thing being grown, not who did it.
- Present passive: “Organic vegetables are grown without chemicals.”
- Past passive: “These flowers were grown in a greenhouse.”
As an Adjective
Grown can also act as an adjective meaning mature or fully developed.
- “A grown man should take responsibility.”
- “She is a grown woman now.”
Comparison: Grew vs. Grown
| Form | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| grew | Simple past (no helper verb) | “The child grew quickly.” |
| grown | Past participle (with helper verb) | “The child has grown quickly.” |
Natural Examples
Everyday Conversation
- “I have grown tired of waiting.” (Informal, expressing feeling)
- “Have you grown any taller?” (Casual question)
- “The business has grown a lot this year.” (Neutral, common in conversation)
Formal Writing and Email
- “The company has grown its revenue by 15%.” (Formal, professional)
- “The seedlings were grown under controlled conditions.” (Scientific or technical)
- “We have grown concerned about the delay.” (Polite, formal email tone)
Passive Examples
- “Rice is grown in many parts of Asia.” (General fact)
- “The roses were grown from cuttings.” (Specific past action)
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using Grown Without a Helper Verb
Incorrect: “She grown very tall.”
Correct: “She has grown very tall.”
Grown cannot stand alone as a main verb. Always pair it with have, has, had, or a form of be.
Mistake 2: Confusing Grew and Grown
Incorrect: “I have grew tomatoes this year.”
Correct: “I have grown tomatoes this year.”
Use grew for simple past without a helper. Use grown with a helper verb.
Mistake 3: Using Grown in Simple Past
Incorrect: “Yesterday, I grown a beard.”
Correct: “Yesterday, I grew a beard.”
Better Alternatives and When to Use Them
Sometimes grown is fine, but a different word can be more precise. Consider these alternatives:
- Developed – Use for skills, ideas, or systems. “The project has developed into a full program.” More formal than grown.
- Increased – Use for numbers or amounts. “Sales have increased by 10%.” More specific than grown in business contexts.
- Matured – Use for emotional or intellectual growth. “She has matured a lot.” Implies wisdom, not just size.
- Expanded – Use for physical space or scope. “The company has expanded into new markets.”
When to use grown: It is the most natural choice for physical size, plants, children, or general increase. In casual conversation, grown is usually best.
Mini Practice: Grown
Complete each sentence with the correct form of grow (grew or grown).
- She ______ up in a small town. (simple past)
- They have ______ their own vegetables for years. (past participle)
- The puppy ______ very fast during the first month. (simple past)
- Has the garden ______ well this season? (past participle)
Answers: 1. grew, 2. grown, 3. grew, 4. grown
FAQ: Past Participle of Grow
1. Is it “has grew” or “has grown”?
It is always “has grown.” After has, have, or had, you must use the past participle grown, not the simple past grew.
2. Can I use “grown” without a helper verb?
Only when it is an adjective, as in “a grown man.” As a verb, grown always needs a helper verb like have or be.
3. What is the difference between “grew” and “grown”?
Grew is the simple past tense and is used alone. Grown is the past participle and must be used with an auxiliary verb. Compare: “The tree grew fast” (simple past) vs. “The tree has grown fast” (present perfect).
4. Is “grown” used in passive sentences?
Yes. For example, “Corn is grown in this region.” Here, is grown is the passive voice, focusing on the corn rather than the farmer.
For more help with verb forms, explore our guides on Past Participle Forms or Verb Forms Explained. If you have questions, visit our FAQ page or contact us. For information about how we create content, see our Editorial Policy.
