What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
prowled
Example
The tiger prowled around the forest, looking for its prey. [prowled: verb]
Example
The thief prowled around the house, looking for a way to break in. [prowling: gerund or present participle]
crept
Example
The cat crept up on the mouse, trying not to make any noise. [crept: past tense]
Example
She crept out of the room, hoping not to wake up her baby. [creeping: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Crept is more commonly used than prowled in everyday language. Crept is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while prowled is less common and is typically associated with animal behavior or suspicious human activity.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between prowled and crept?
Both prowled and crept are informal words that are more likely to be used in casual or creative writing contexts. However, prowled may be slightly more formal due to its association with animal behavior and its potential use in more serious or suspenseful writing.
