The past tense of "we grow" is we grew.
The verb "grow" is an irregular verb, meaning it does not follow the standard pattern of adding "-ed" to form its past tense. Instead, its form changes to "grew" in the simple past tense.
Understanding the Simple Past Tense of 'Grow'
When you need to describe an action of growing that took place and concluded in the past, you use the simple past tense. For the subject "we," the past tense form "grew" remains consistent with most other subjects.
Here is how the verb "grow" conjugates in the simple past (also known as the preterit) across different subject pronouns:
| Subject Pronoun | Simple Past Tense |
|---|---|
| I | grew |
| You | grew |
| He, She, It | grew |
| We | grew |
| You (plural) | grew |
| They | grew |
As illustrated in the table, for the first-person plural pronoun "we," the correct simple past tense form is "grew."
Examples of 'We Grew' in Sentences
Using "we grew" appropriately helps to convey past actions and states clearly. Consider these practical examples:
- Last summer, we grew a variety of organic herbs in our backyard garden.
- As we grew older, our interests started to diverge significantly.
- We grew up surrounded by nature, which instilled in us a deep appreciation for the environment.
- Through perseverance, we grew our small start-up into a nationally recognized brand.
- Despite numerous challenges, we grew more resilient and adaptable.
Why 'Grew' and Not 'Growed'?
Irregular verbs such as "grow" form their past tense by altering their internal vowel or using a completely different root, rather than simply appending "-ed" or "-d" like regular verbs (e.g., "walk" becomes "walked"). This characteristic is common among many fundamental English verbs. Mastering these irregular forms is crucial for grammatical accuracy. For a more comprehensive understanding of irregular verbs, you can consult reputable grammar resources like Purdue OWL's guide on Irregular Verbs.
Contexts for Using 'We Grew'
The phrase "we grew" can be used in various contexts, including:
- Physical development: "We grew taller during our teenage years."
- Expansion or increase: "We grew our client base by over 50% last quarter."
- Cultivation: "We grew prize-winning roses for the annual flower show."
- Maturation: "Through shared experiences, we grew wiser and more understanding."
- Progression: "We grew professionally with every new project we undertook."
Accurately using the past tense for irregular verbs is a fundamental component of effective English communication.
