Grew vs. Grown
“Grew” and “grown” are different forms of the irregular verb “grow.” “Grew” is the simple past, while “grown” is the past participle used in perfect constructions.
Use “grew” for the simple past and “grown” as the past participle, especially after have/has/had.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| simple past without an auxiliary | grew | Use “grew” for the simple past. |
| past participle after have/has/had | grown | Use “grown” in perfect constructions. |
| participial/adjectival or passive-related use | grown | Use the participle where the construction requires it. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Is the form governed by “have,” “has,” or “had,” or otherwise functioning as a participle?
If yes: Use “grown.”
If no: Use “grew” for the simple past.
Caveat: This distinction concerns the irregular verb “grow”; the surrounding construction determines which form is required.
Examples
The company grew quickly last year.
“Grew” is the simple-past form.
The company has grown quickly.
“Grown” follows “has” as the past participle.
The plants were fully grown by July.
“Grown” functions as a participial form.
Further guidance
Core difference
“Grew” is the simple-past form of “grow”; “grown” is the past participle used with auxiliaries such as have, has, or had.
Fast Test
If have, has, or had directly governs the form of “grow,” choose “grown.” For a standalone finite past-tense verb, choose “grew.”
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- grow — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Cambridge lists grew as the past tense and grown as the past participle of grow.