crawling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crawling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a slow movement or progress, often in a literal or metaphorical sense. Example: "The traffic was crawling along the highway during rush hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

These days, if I spend too long on the internet, I feel like crawling back into the sea and trying to de-evolve my limbs.

The Guardian - Opinion

For a moment we considered asking them whether there were any drugs on site but swiftly remembered Stach had told us the place was crawling with undercover police.

The Guardian - Music

Obviously placing the titbit on top of the drink, either via a piece of bread or small plate, served the dual purpose of helping to keep flies from crawling into the glasses.

The Guardian - Travel

She proved against Mirjana Lucic-Baroni in the second round in Strasbourg that she's willing to get her sock ettes) dirty, crawling back from a 4-6, 0-5 deficit to win in a third-set tiebreaker.

The Guardian - Sport

It is an ode to the countries of that sensational Commonwealth Games, asking which of them came crawling back to England once they got their independence.

The Guardian

Overcoming the "motherhood penalty" requires employers to become more creative in their attitudes to flexible working ("I'll need to work from home at least one day a week" commented NormaStanleyFletcher to the crowds of spook-recruiters who are definitely crawling all over Mumsnet right now), and to engage in national conversations about childcare and family-friendly approaches.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

The original referred to curb-crawling rather than kerb-crawling.

The Guardian - Opinion

iPhone / iPad Dungeon Hunter 5 (Free + IAP) If swords, monsters and dungeon-crawling are your thing, Dungeon Hunter 5 is well worth a look – as long as you're not harbouring fond memories of earlier games in this series that weren't freemium.

The Guardian - Tech

Much to its own shock the firm considers itself "the nice guys"—Gmail's e-mail-crawling, necessary for choosing the most fitting ad-links, has upset privacy groups.

The Economist

iPhone / iPad Related: The best iPad apps for kids of 2014 Card Crawl (£1.49) Another game that may sound like a niche: a dungeon-crawling game where you slay monsters and collect gold by laying down virtual cards.

The Guardian - Tech

Makes curb-crawling, "hit and runs" and the importation of indecent and obscene material arrestable offences.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crawling" to vividly describe slow movement or progress, especially when conveying a sense of difficulty or effort. It can also effectively portray something being infested or teeming with life.

Common error

Avoid using "crawling" when describing fast or efficient processes. It implies slowness, so ensure the context aligns with this meaning to avoid contradiction.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "crawling" is as a verb, specifically the present participle or gerund form of the verb "crawl". As Ludwig AI confirms, this form is used to describe an ongoing action. For example, "The baby is crawling" or "The traffic is crawling slowly."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "crawling" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb form that describes slow movement, gradual progress, or a state of being infested, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for formal and informal writing. To enhance clarity and precision in your writing, use "crawling" when you intend to convey slowness or a laborious process, and avoid using it for fast actions. Consider synonyms like "creeping" or "swarming" to add nuance. Ludwig's examples offer insights into various applications, enabling you to use "crawling" effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

creeping

Focuses on a slow, subtle movement, similar to crawling but can also imply stealth.

teeming

Implies being full of something, like "crawling" when used to describe an area infested with something.

inching

Emphasizes very slow, incremental movement, similar to the gradual progress implied by "crawling".

swarming

Suggests a large group moving around, similar to the sense of being overrun.

progressing slowly

Highlights the gradual advancement aspect of "crawling", focusing on the pace.

infested

Specifically relates to being overrun by pests, mirroring one usage of "crawling".

overrun

Indicates being overwhelmed or covered, similar to the idea of something crawling over an area.

dragging

Suggests a heavy, slow movement, differing from crawling but still implying slowness.

lumbering

Implies a heavy, awkward movement, unlike the often agile movement of crawling.

slithering

Describes a sliding or gliding movement, distinct from the crawling motion, which involves limbs.

FAQs

How can I use "crawling" in a sentence?

You can use "crawling" to describe slow movement, like "The traffic was "crawling" on the highway" or to indicate something is infested, such as "The old house was "crawling" with termites".

What are some synonyms for "crawling"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "creeping" for slow movement, "swarming" when indicating a place is full of something, or "inching" for gradual progress.

Is it appropriate to use "crawling" in formal writing?

Yes, "crawling" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when describing a slow or laborious process. For instance, "The peace process is "crawling" at a snail's pace" is perfectly acceptable.

What's the difference between "crawling" and "creeping"?

"Crawling" typically refers to movement on hands and knees or a very slow pace. "Creeping", on the other hand, often implies a stealthy or subtle movement, or a gradual, almost imperceptible development.