Same verb · different particle

“grow” phrasal verbs

Same verb, different particle, different meaning. Learn these 3 one at a time, then test yourself.

3 phrasal verbslisten & quiz

grow

apart out of

grow + apart · 1 of 3

grow apart

become less close

grow apart from sb

To slowly lose a close relationship with someone, often because your lives or interests change.

How oftenCommon

LevelB2

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

After moving to different cities, we started to grow apart and didn't talk as much.

A: Are you still close with your childhood friend?
B: Not really. We grew apart after high school.

Common mistake

Not: My best friend and I grew ~~apart from each other.~~

Say: My best friend and I grew apart.

'Grow apart' is intransitive and already mutual — don't add 'from each other'.

More on “grow apart”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

I think it's common for people to grow apart from their friends when they go to university, because their lives change so much.

Tell it apart

We grew apart after school.

drifted emotionally

The kids grew up fast.

became adults

Goes with

grow apart

Practice saying this

Next: grow out of

grow + out of · 2 of 3

grow out of

become too big for

grow out of sth

To become too large or tall to fit into something, especially clothes or shoes, as you get older.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

My son has grown out of all his shoes again.

A: Why are there so many old clothes in this bag?
B: Oh, Lily grew out of them last year.

Common mistake

Not: He grew out ~~from~~ his shoes.

Say: He grew out of his shoes.

It's 'grow out OF', not 'out from'.

More on “grow out of”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

When I was a child, I used to get new uniforms every year because I would quickly grow out of the old ones.

Tell it apart

He's grown out of his shoes.

too big for them now

He's grown out of throwing tantrums.

stopped the habit

Goes with

grow out of + clothes

Practice saying this

Next: grow up

grow + up · 3 of 3

grow up

become an adult

grow up sth

To change from being a child to being an adult, both physically and mentally.

How oftenVery common

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

I grew up in a small town by the sea.

A: Where did you grow up?
B: I grew up in London, actually.

Common mistake

Not: I grew up in a farm.

Say: I grew up on a farm.

'Grow up ON a farm' (but 'IN a town/city').

More on “grow up”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

When I was a child, I grew up with my grandparents, so family has always been important to me.

Tell it apart

I grew up in Spain.

spent my childhood

Oh, grow up!

stop being childish

Goes with

grow up + place

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which “grow” fits?

Fill the gap

Which “grow” fits?

Read the sentence, then pick the phrasal verb that belongs in the gap.

Turn this into speaking practice

Pick one and say it out loud. Save the ones you mix up.

grow apart grow out of grow up