GROW vs. GROW UP

Good morning everyone. I hope you had a great weekend. Welcome back to the Daily Vitamin.

Today we are going to learn the difference between the words to grow and to grow up, two verbs which often cause confusion since the Spanish translation for both of them is crecer.

GROW
It means: to increase in size; to become bigger, taller or longer.

This is the most common meaning; however, if you have a good English dictionary, or you look online, you can find other meanings. 

Example 1: You're getting to be such a big girl! I'm sure you have grown at least 20 cm since the last time I saw you.

Example 2: This plant does not seem to be growing. Perhaps I should use fertilizer.

GROW UP
It means: to change from being a baby or young child to being an older child or young adult.

We can use this verb to describe different aspects of the growing-up process (how, where and when we grew up ).

Example 3: My son is growing up so fast. It seems he was a baby in my arms just yesterday and next week he starts primary school.

Example 4: Although I was born in England, I grew up in Canada.

As you can see, both verbs can be used to talk about our childhood, but they have a different focus. Grow refers to the physical increase in size and grow up refers more globally to the process of changing from a child to an adult, physcially, mentally and intellectually.

If you have understood the difference between these verbs and can use them correctly, then we can say that your vocabulary has grown a little! (Not grown up!).

If this difference is not clear, please don't hesitate to post your questions or comments on one of our social media sites (Facebook or Bluesky). I also encourage you to write a sentence with each one of these words/expressions, to get some practice writing in English. We will correct your writing as soon as possible. 

Enjoy the rest of your day!