Accelerate vs Hurry up we're losing her vs Rush

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Accelerate

Top 2,000 (common)C1verb

Hurry up we're losing her

Beyond 10,000 (less common)

Rush

Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Most common: Rush
 AccelerateHurry up we're losing herRush
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/əkˈseləreɪt/","/əkˈseləreɪts/","/əkˈseləreɪtɪd/","/əkˈseləreɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əkˈseləreɪt/","/əkˈseləreɪts/","/əkˈseləreɪtɪd/","/əkˈseləreɪtɪŋ/"]/🇬🇧 //ˈhʌri ʌp wɪə ˈluːzɪŋ hɜː//🇺🇸 //ˈhɜri ʌp wɪr ˈluːzɪŋ hɜr//🇬🇧 /["/rʌʃ/","/ˈrʌʃɪz/","/rʌʃt/","/ˈrʌʃɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rʌʃ/","/ˈrʌʃɪz/","/rʌʃt/","/ˈrʌʃɪŋ/"]/
MeaningTo go faster or make something go faster.Move faster; we are at risk of losing her.to move quickly or hurry
ExampleThe company aims to accelerate the development of new technologies.Hurry up, we're losing her!I had to rush to the station to catch my train before it left.
RegisterNeutralNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR levelC1-B2
Part of speechverbverb
Collocationsdramatically, greatly, rapidly, hard, quickly, smoothlyhurry up, hurry up and go, hurry up please, hurry up already, hurry up everyoneheadlong, madly, quickly, along, from, into, come rushing, go rushing, rush to somebody’s rescue, headlong, madly, quickly, along, from, into, come rushing, go rushing, rush to somebody’s rescue
Antonymsdecelerate, slow down-slow, dawdle, linger
Common mistakesConfused 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.Using 'hurry' as a noun (should be a verb), Incorrectly stressing 'up' instead of 'hurry', Confusing with 'hurry on' which implies continued actionIncorrectly using 'rush' as a noun without an article when needed., Using 'rushed' as a present tense instead of the correct form., Confusing 'rush' with 'push' in the context of moving quickly.
Usage notesUsed in both formal and casual contexts, often related to speed, processes, or improvements. Not typically used in very informal conversation.Used in urgent situations to prompt quick action. More suitable in informal contexts, but can also be used in emergencies.Commonly used when talking about a need to hurry, like catching a bus. Avoid in very formal situations.

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Hurry up we're losing her

Frequently asked questions: Accelerate vs Hurry up we're losing her vs Rush

What's the difference between Accelerate, Hurry up we're losing her, and Rush?

Accelerate: To go faster or make something go faster. Hurry up we're losing her: Move faster; we are at risk of losing her. Rush: to move quickly or hurry

Which is more common: Accelerate, Hurry up we're losing her, and Rush?

Rush is the most common in everyday English.

Which is more advanced: Accelerate, Hurry up we're losing her, and Rush?

Accelerate is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.

Can you show an example of each?

Accelerate: The company aims to accelerate the development of new technologies. Hurry up we're losing her: Hurry up, we're losing her! Rush: I had to rush to the station to catch my train before it left.

Can I use Accelerate, Hurry up we're losing her, and Rush interchangeably?

Not always. Accelerate, Hurry up we're losing her, and Rush 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.

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