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Both express a change of state ("to become"), but "grow" implies gradual change; "get" is more immediate and informal.
Side-by-side comparison
To become something gradually and organically. Also: to grow physically.
She grew more confident as the months passed.
The city has grown dramatically over the past decade.
He grew tired of waiting and left without her.
To become something (change of state). Informal and very common. Also: to obtain, to receive.
It is getting late. We should probably head home soon.
She got angry when she found out what had happened.
He got lost in the city and had to call for directions.
Common mistake
- •"Grow" and "get" both mean "become something", but differ in register.
- •"Grow old" or "grow impatient" are formal or literary.
- •"Get old" or "get angry" are much more common in everyday conversation.
- •For physical growth (plants, children): always "grow", never "get".
Trick to remember it
- •Register: "grow + adjective" = formal or literary.
- •"Get + adjective" = informal, very common in everyday speech.
- •In daily conversation: almost always "get".
- •In writing or formal speech: "grow" sounds elegant.
Quick rule
- •"Grow" = become something gradually (formal/literary or physical growth).
- •"Get" = become something (informal, very common in everyday speech).
Did you know?
"Get" is probably the most productive verb in English for phrasal verbs. Get up, get down, get in, get out, get on, get off, get over, get through, get by, get away, get back, get along, get ahead, get behind, get together, get around... Each combination carries its own meaning, often idiomatic and completely different from the base meaning. A student who masters phrasal verbs with "get" makes a huge qualitative leap in fluency because this single root unlocks dozens of daily-use expressions that native speakers use constantly.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
It's _____ ing dark outside. We should head home soon.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
She has _____ n more confident over the years. The difference is amazing.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Related word pairs
"Get" signals an informal or quick change; "become" signals a formal or gradual one.
"Grow" is to increase or develop naturally; "raise" is to bring up or cause growth in something else.
"Tired" means exhausted (physically or mentally); "sleepy" means wanting to sleep specifically.
"Above" is at a higher level without contact; "over" implies covering, movement, or crossing.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy