Other than grew, there's no other verb?You could use "grew". Otherwise, I'd change the sentence to the simpler "There was a weeping willow ...".
I can't think of one. I've just looked at the full list of synonyms for "stand" and there isn't one that fits your context.Other than grew,there'sis there no other verb?
That doesn't work for me. I appreciate your reason for using "upward" but "striving upward" is unnatural, not least because weeping willow trees are known specifically for hanging towards the ground, not for their height.Maybe, a bit more poetic: There was a weeping willow striving upward in the middle of the garden.
If you have a question about the English language and would like to ask one of our many English teachers and language experts, please click the button below to let us know: