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. This guide explains each form with clear examples, shows you how to use them correctly in writing and conversation, and helps you avoid common mistakes.

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

Base Form (Grow)

Use grow with I, you, we, and they. It describes something that happens regularly, is true in general, or is happening right now (in simple present).

• Example: I grow tomatoes in my backyard every summer.
• Example: They grow impatient when the meeting runs long.

Third Person Singular (Grows)

Use grows with he, she, it, or a singular noun.

• Example: She grows herbs on her kitchen windowsill.
• Example: The company grows its revenue by 10% each year.

Present Participle (Growing)

Use growing with helping verbs (am, is, are, was, were) for continuous tenses, or as a gerund (a noun form).

• Example (continuous): The plants are growing quickly this spring.
• Example (gerund): Growing your own food saves money.

Past Tense Form: Grew

The past tense of grow is grew. Use it for actions that started and finished in the past. This form does not change with the subject (I, you, he, she, it, we, they all use grew).

• Example: He grew up in a small town in Ohio.
• Example: The business grew rapidly after the new product launch.
• Example: We grew tired of waiting and left.

Past Participle Form: Grown

The past participle is grown. It must be used with a helping verb (have, has, had, is, are, was, were, been) to form perfect tenses or passive voice.

• Example (present perfect): She has grown a lot since last year.
• Example (past perfect): They had grown all their vegetables before the frost came.
• Example (passive voice): The roses were grown by my grandmother.

Comparison Table: Grow Verb Forms

Natural Examples of Grow in Context

Here are real-world sentences showing how grow is used in different situations.

• In conversation: “My hair grows really slowly, so I only get it cut twice a year.”
• In a business email: “Our team has grown from five to fifteen members this quarter.”
• In a personal story: “I grew up in a house with no central heating.”
• In a formal report: “The economy grew by 2.3% in the last fiscal year.”
• In a gardening blog: “Tomatoes grown in full sun taste much sweeter.”

Formal vs. Informal Tone

The verb grow works in both formal and informal settings, but the choice of tense and context matters.

• Informal: “My kid grew out of his shoes in two months.” (Casual conversation)
• Formal: “The organization has grown its membership base significantly.” (Business report or presentation)
• Email context: In a professional email, use present perfect or past tense to describe growth: “We have grown our client list by 30% since January.” Avoid overly casual phrasing like “grew like crazy.”

Common Mistakes with Grow

Mistake 1: Using “growed” instead of “grew”

Some learners mistakenly add -ed to form the past tense. Grow is an irregular verb; the past tense is grew, not growed.

• Incorrect: The plant growed very tall.
• Correct: The plant grew very tall.

Mistake 2: Confusing “grew” and “grown”

Remember: grew is used alone for simple past. Grown needs a helper verb (have, has, had, is, was, etc.).

• Incorrect: I grown tomatoes last year.
• Correct: I grew tomatoes last year. OR I have grown tomatoes for years.

Mistake 3: Using “grow” for past actions

Do not use the base form grow when talking about the past.

• Incorrect: Yesterday, I grow some peppers.
• Correct: Yesterday, I grew some peppers.

Better Alternatives and When to Use Them

Sometimes grow is the best word, but other verbs can add precision.

• Increase – Use in formal or business contexts when talking about numbers or size. Example: “Sales increased by 15%.” (More formal than grew)
• Expand – Use for physical space or scope. Example: “The company expanded into three new markets.”
• Develop – Use for skills, ideas, or gradual progress. Example: “She developed her public speaking skills over time.”
• Mature – Use for personal or emotional growth. Example: “He has matured a lot since college.”

When to use grow: It is the most natural choice for literal plant growth, physical changes, and general increase. Use it in everyday conversation and most writing unless you need a more specific or formal tone.

Mini Practice: Test Your Knowledge

Fill in the blank with the correct form of grow.

1. Last summer, my sunflowers ______ over six feet tall.
2. She ______ her own vegetables every year.
3. By the time we moved, the ivy had ______ up the entire wall.
4. The company is ______ rapidly and needs more staff.

Answers:

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is “grow” a regular or irregular verb?

Grow is an irregular verb. Its past tense is grew and its past participle is grown. It does not follow the regular -ed pattern.

Can I use “grow” for non-physical things?

Yes. Grow is commonly used for abstract concepts like relationships, skills, businesses, and emotions. Example: “Their friendship grew stronger over time.”

What is the difference between “grow” and “raise”?

Grow is used for plants or things that develop naturally. Raise is used for animals or children, and sometimes for plants when a person actively cares for them. Example: “I grow tomatoes” and “I raise chickens.”

How do I use “grown” in a sentence without a helper verb?

You cannot use grown alone as the main verb. It always needs a helper verb like have, has, had, is, was, or were. However, grown can be used as an adjective: “a grown man” or “fully grown plants.”

For more detailed explanations of verb forms, visit our Verb Forms Explained section. If you have questions about other irregular verbs, check our FAQ page or contact us.