What's the past tense of "creep"?
The past tense of creep is crept (or sometimes creeped in informal contexts). The present or past perfect).
Definition of creep
As a verb, creep means to move slowly and carefully in order to avoid being heard or noticed (especially on foot). When describing a feeling, creep can also mean to make someone feel uneasy or scared ("creep someone out").
- The past tense of creep is crept (or creeped in informal contexts, especially for "creeped out").
- The present or past perfect).
Verb forms of 'creep'
Is "creep" a regular or irregular verb?
Creep is an irregular verb. While some informal usage accepts "creeped" (particularly for the expression "creeped out"), the standard past tense and present or past perfect), but creep changes to crept, making it irregular.
When to use crept vs. creeped
I crept down the stairs quietly so I wouldn't wake anyone up.
I have crept through many dark hallways in my life.
The verb creep uses the same form for both simple past tense and present or past perfect), it requires an auxiliary verb like have, has, or had. The simple past doesn't use a helper verb since it's a complete tense, so crept can stand alone in sentences, whereas participles require an auxiliary verb.
Note about "creeped": Use creeped almost exclusively for the feeling of being "creeped out" (unnerved or spooked). For describing physical movement, use crept.
Similar irregular verbs
Many irregular verbs follow similar patterns. Some have alternative past tense forms that are both accepted, while others (like creep and sleep) completely change their vowel sound in the past tense.
Sentence examples: creep, crept, crept
• The shadows creep across the floor as the sun sets.
• Fear often creeps into our minds when we're alone.
• The children creep down the hallway to avoid detection.
• The cat crept silently along the fence last night.
• A feeling of unease crept over him as he entered the dark room.
• She crept into my heart without me even realizing it.
• I have crept through many dark hallways in my life.
• Doubt has crept into her mind before every big exam.
• The ivy has crept up the side of the old stone wall for years.
Synonyms & nearby words
Synonyms of creep
Related words & phrases
Practice: creep conjugations
The cat ______ silently along the fence.
A feeling of unease had ______ over him as he entered the dark room.
Doubt often ______ into her mind before a big exam.
The ivy is slowly ______ up the side of the old stone wall.
Try not to ______ around the house late at night.
FAQs
What's the past tense of "creep"? +
When do I use "creeped"? +
When do I use "crept"? +
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Is "creep" a regular verb? +
Sources
- Harper, Douglas. "Etymology of creep." Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/creep. Accessed 26 March, 2024.
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