Grow vs Increase: What's the Difference?
What's the Difference?
Grow" refers to a natural or organic growth, while "increase" describes a rise in number, amount, or level.
Memory Tip: grow = organic change, increase = numeric rise
grow has long /oʊ/, increase has stress on 'crease'
grow /ɡroʊ/
verbTo become bigger or taller over time.
Example:
If you plant these seeds in the spring, they will grow into beautiful flowers by summer.
Common patterns:
I grow
They grow
increase /ɪnˈkriːs/
verbTo make something bigger or more in number.
Example:
If prices continue to increase, we might have to find cheaper alternatives.
Common patterns:
increase in size
increase the number
Common Mistakes
The company's profits continue to grow each quarter.
The company's profits continue to increase each quarter.
Profits are measured in numbers, so 'increase' is the appropriate term.
The plant will increase taller over the summer.
The plant will grow taller over the summer.
Plants grow naturally, so 'grow' is the appropriate term for natural development.
Quick Practice
0/2 correct1. If you plant these seeds in the spring, they will ____ into beautiful flowers by summer.
2. If prices continue to ____, we might have to find cheaper alternatives.
Other Confusing Words
Never confuse grow / increase again
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