at a crawl

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a crawl" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where something is moving very slowly, often in reference to traffic or progress. Example: "The traffic was so heavy that we were moving at a crawl for over an hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm at a crawl".

The Guardian - Tech

Traffic moves at a crawl.

The Guardian

The questioning moves at a crawl.

The Washington Post

From there, progress came at a crawl.

The New York Times

The recovery is moving at a crawl.

The New York Times

Today's race unfolded at a crawl.

The New York Times - Sports

Productivity is at a crawl in most rich economies.

The New York Times

Long lines of traffic move at a crawl.

The Guardian

From the start, the effort moved at a crawl.

The New York Times

Feature evolution in the core applications moved at a crawl.

The Guardian - Tech

It's all slowed down, kind of going at a crawl here.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at a crawl" to vividly describe situations where movement or progress is exceptionally slow, creating a stronger image for the reader. For example, 'The negotiations proceeded at a crawl, with little agreement in sight.'

Common error

Avoid using "at a crawl" in contexts that require precise measurements or data. It's best suited for descriptive writing rather than technical or scientific reporting where accuracy is paramount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a crawl" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to describe the manner of movement or progression. Ludwig AI shows examples where it modifies verbs like "move", "go", or "proceed", indicating a very slow pace.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at a crawl" is a grammatically sound and very common adverbial phrase used to describe something moving or progressing extremely slowly. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's frequently found in news and media, as well as academic contexts, indicating a neutral register suitable for various situations. When you want to emphasize that something isn't just slow but agonizingly so, "at a crawl" is a vivid and effective choice. Remember to use it in descriptive contexts rather than in situations demanding precise measurements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moving very slowly

Focuses on the act of moving with minimal speed.

at a snail's pace

Uses a simile to emphasize extreme slowness.

proceeding slowly

Highlights the gradual advancement or progression.

inching along

Emphasizes the small increments of movement.

creeping along

Suggests a slow, almost imperceptible movement.

advancing gradually

Highlights the step-by-step nature of the progress.

at a reduced rate

Focuses on the diminished speed of an action or process.

plodding along

Suggests a slow and laborious movement or progress.

making little headway

Emphasizes the lack of significant progress.

going nowhere fast

Implies slow progress with a touch of irony.

FAQs

How can I use "at a crawl" in a sentence?

The phrase "at a crawl" describes something moving very slowly. For example, "Traffic was "at a crawl" due to the accident" or "The project is progressing "at a crawl" because of budget constraints".

What's a good alternative to "at a crawl"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "moving very slowly", "at a snail's pace", or "inching along" as alternatives to "at a crawl".

Is it grammatically correct to say "at a crawl"?

Yes, the phrase "at a crawl" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe slow movement or progress.

Which is more appropriate: "moving slowly" or "at a crawl"?

"Moving slowly" is a more general description. "At a crawl" implies extreme slowness, almost to the point of being stationary. Use "at a crawl" when you want to emphasize just how slow something is.