moving at a crawl

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "moving at a crawl" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is progressing very slowly, often in a frustrating or tedious manner. Example: "During rush hour, the traffic was moving at a crawl, making the commute much longer than usual."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The recovery is moving at a crawl.

The New York Times

"Day Seven," moving at a crawl, has some of the tragically beautiful qualities of Henry Threadgill's music.

The New York Times - Arts

Even if you're only moving at a crawl, keep going downhill and after, say, 10-20 hours, you'll reach some form of civilization.

The Guardian - Travel

Then there was the old-fashioned way Mr. Nolan, a Jersey City native who still lives in New Jersey, had to keep listeners informed about whether traffic was moving at a crawl or a clip across Midtown.

The New York Times

After hitting a peak speed of about 35 miles an hour on the downhill, the train slowed as the terrain evened out, moving at a crawl past the Camden Town stop, finally halting as it reached the uphill slope at Warren Street station at 6 57 a.m.

The New York Times

To summarise, climate financing, a key factor in successfully implementing international climate efforts, is moving at a crawl when it should be sprinting.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Traffic moves 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

There are poorly designed, ancient tunnels west of Baltimore where trains move at a crawl.

The Economist

Traffic moves at a crawl because of omnipresent checkpoints, and by 7 p.m. the streets are deserted.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "moving at a crawl" to vividly describe situations where progress is exceptionally slow and potentially frustrating, such as traffic jams, bureaucratic processes, or recovery efforts.

Common error

While "moving at a crawl" is effective, overuse can diminish its impact. Vary your language by using alternatives like "progressing slowly" or "inching forward" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moving at a crawl" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, typically describing the manner in which something is moving or progressing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "moving at a crawl" is a grammatically correct and usable idiom that effectively describes something progressing very slowly. Ludwig AI supports this conclusion. While not overly formal, it's versatile enough for various contexts, especially in News & Media. To avoid repetition, consider using alternatives like "inching forward" or "progressing slowly". Remember that while vivid, overuse can dilute its impact, so vary your phrasing for better engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proceeding at a snail's pace

Replaces "crawl" with "snail's pace", emphasizing the slowness of progress.

inching forward

Uses "inching" to describe very small increments of movement.

progressing slowly

A more straightforward and general way to express slow progress.

creeping along

Emphasizes the gradual and almost imperceptible movement.

advancing at a leisurely pace

Suggests a relaxed and unhurried rate of advancement.

barely budging

Indicates minimal or almost no movement at all.

stuck in slow motion

Implies a dragged-out or prolonged sense of slowness.

dragging its feet

Suggests reluctance or resistance to progress, causing slowness.

making little headway

Focuses on the lack of substantial progress being made.

stagnating

Implies a complete lack of movement or progress, suggesting inactivity.

FAQs

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

You can use "moving at a crawl" to describe something progressing very slowly. For example: "During rush hour, traffic was "moving at a crawl", making the commute longer."

What are some alternatives to "moving at a crawl"?

Alternatives include "progressing slowly", "inching forward", or "proceeding at a snail's pace". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "moving at a crawl" formal or informal?

"Moving at a crawl" is suitable for both neutral and informal contexts. For more formal situations, consider using alternatives such as "progressing slowly".

What does it mean when something is "moving at a crawl"?

It means that something is progressing extremely slowly, almost imperceptibly. It often implies frustration or impatience due to the lack of speed.