Cool MateAccelerate vs Hurry up
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Accelerate
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Hurry up
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Accelerate
| Accelerate | Hurry up | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əkˈseləreɪt/","/əkˈseləreɪts/","/əkˈseləreɪtɪd/","/əkˈseləreɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əkˈseləreɪt/","/əkˈseləreɪts/","/əkˈseləreɪtɪd/","/əkˈseləreɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈhʌri ʌp//🇺🇸 //ˈhɜri ʌp// |
| Meaning | To go faster or make something go faster. | Do something faster. |
| Example | The company aims to accelerate the development of new technologies. | You need to hurry up or we will miss the train! |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | dramatically, greatly, rapidly, hard, quickly, smoothly | hurry up and wait, hurry up before, hurry up to |
| Antonyms | decelerate, slow down | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'decelerate' (which means to slow down)., Using 'accelerate' without an object when it should have one., Incorrectly assuming it can only apply to vehicles. | Omitting 'up', saying just 'hurry'., 'Hurry up' used in formal writing., Using 'hurry up' without an object or activity. |
| Usage notes | Used in both formal and casual contexts, often related to speed, processes, or improvements. Not typically used in very informal conversation. | Commonly used in casual contexts to prompt someone to act more quickly. Avoid in formal situations. |
Frequently asked questions: Accelerate vs Hurry up
What's the difference between Accelerate and Hurry up?
Accelerate: To go faster or make something go faster. Hurry up: Do something faster.
Which is more formal: Accelerate and Hurry up?
Accelerate is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Accelerate: The company aims to accelerate the development of new technologies. Hurry up: You need to hurry up or we will miss the train!
Can I use Accelerate and Hurry up interchangeably?
Not always. Accelerate and Hurry up are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.