What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
inching
Example
The car was inching forward in the traffic jam. [inching: verb]
Example
The company is inching closer to achieving its sales target for the year. [inching: present participle]
creeping
Example
I could hear someone creeping around outside my window. [creeping: verb]
Example
The creeping vines had taken over the entire wall. [creeping: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Creeping is more commonly used than inching in everyday language. Creeping is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while inching is less common and refers to a slow and steady movement forward.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between inching and creeping?
Both inching and creeping are informal words that are suitable for casual conversations or informal writing. However, inching may be slightly more formal than creeping due to its neutral connotation and more specific usage.
