You might have said “I was born and raised” when discussing your history before. But is that an effective way to tell someone where you came from?
If you’re asking yourself that question, you’ve come to the right place. We will show you what to say instead of “I was born and raised.”
Other Ways to Say “I Was Born and Raised”
- Born in
- I’m from
- Raised in
- I come from
- My background is
- Brought up in
- Learned all I know from
- Came from
- Went to
- Grew up in
- Developed around
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- There is nothing wrong with using “I was born and raised,” though some people see it as redundant.
- “Born in” makes an excellent formal synonym that removes the redundancy by removing “and raised.”
- Try saying “I’m from” as an informal alternative.
If you’re still wondering about what to say instead of “I was born and raised,” keep reading! We’ll explore the best options and share some examples of how you can use them.
We’ve also included a section about whether it’s correct to say “I was born and raised” at the end. If you came here for that, feel free to read ahead!
Born In (Formal)
“Born in” gives you another way to say “I was born and raised” that’s more professional and formal.
You should use it to be concise and direct with whoever you’re speaking to.
Typically, “born in” removes the redundant “and raised.” Since “born” and “raised” mean the same thing in most contexts, there isn’t always a need for both to come into play.
In formal situations, use “born in” over “born and raised.” It’s a much more suitable synonym for the phrase. You will also sound more professional when using it.
Here are a few examples that will help you out:
I was born in the south, so I have a few different ideas about how to do this.
Wasn’t she born in the city? You should speak to her about her experiences if you’d like to know more.
I’m From (Informal)
“I’m from” is a more informal synonym. It removes excessive wording and shows that you are from a specific place.
This phrase works conversationally, making it ideal to use regardless of who you’re talking to. You could use “I’m from” when talking to friends, colleagues, employers, etc.
It keeps things simple, which is why it’s so effective. The only issue comes from the general side of the phrase. “I’m from” doesn’t necessarily mean you were “born” in a place. It just means you came from that place at some point in your life.
Still, it’s worth using “I’m from” as an informal option. You will also have more luck using “I’m from” in formal contexts than “I was born and raised” since it’s not redundant.
These examples will help you figure it out:
So, I’m from Jamaica, and I love all the food we used to eat there.
I’m from there. I could tell you a lot about the local culture if that helps?
Is It Correct to Say “I Was Born and Raised”?
It is correct to say “I was born and raised.” You can use it to tell someone where you come from and grew up.
You might also say “born in” or “raised in.” There isn’t much of a reason to say “born and raised” in the same sentence.
Some say that “born and raised” is redundant since “born” and “raised” imply the same thing. Therefore, you don’t need to use this phrase.
You may also come across the following variations:
- I was born and raised there.
- I am born and raised here.
The key differences between these forms come down to the tense choice.
“Was” is the past tense. It shows you grew up somewhere else but have moved to a new area.
“Am” is the present tense. It suggests you grew up in the same area you are currently in (i.e. “I am born and raised right here”).
Make sure you remember these tenses in the future. They’ll help you to show others where you came from.
Finally, if you worry about being wrong, feel free to save this page. That way, you can always come back to learn about it again.