Meaning & use
past tense sneak
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Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
The form of the verb 'sneak' used to talk about the past; it can be 'sneaked' or 'snuck'.
Grammar: Use 'sneaked' in formal writing; 'snuck' is common in informal American English but is not accepted by all speakers.
Patterns
- sneaked past
- snuck in
- sneaked a look
He sneaked out of the meeting without anyone noticing.
She snuck a piece of cake before dinner, hoping no one would see.
The cat sneaked past the dog and into the kitchen.
phrasefixed phrase
The past participle of 'sneak', used after 'have' or 'be'; again both 'sneaked' and 'snuck' occur.
Grammar: After 'have' or 'had', use either 'sneaked' or 'snuck' depending on the variety and formality.
Patterns
- have sneaked
- had snuck
- was sneaked in
She has sneaked into the room twice today.
They had snuck away before the speeches started.
The documents were sneaked out of the office.
Common combinations
- sneaked a look
- He sneaked a look at his phone during the lecture.
- snuck in
- We snuck in through the back door.
- sneaked up on
- She sneaked up on her brother and shouted 'Boo!'
Synonyms and how they differ
- crept
- The past tense of 'creep', meaning to move quietly and slowly; it is more neutral and does not suggest doing something wrong or secret.
Word family
Commonly confused: past tense sneak or snuck?
past tense sneak vs snuck
Some people mistakenly think 'snuck' is always wrong, but it is widely used in American English. However, 'sneaked' is safer in formal writing.
Practice
In a formal essay, which is the safest past tense of 'sneak'?
Choose one answer.
'Sneaked' is the standard past tense and is preferred in formal writing. 'Snuck' is common informally but may be considered incorrect in formal contexts. 'Sneak' is the present tense, and 'sneaking' is the -ing form, so neither fits a past tense slot.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “past tense sneak”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.