Cool MateFast vs Hasty
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Fast
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adjective
Hasty
Top 5,000 (fairly common)B1adjective
Most common: Fast
| Fast | Hasty | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/fɑːst/"]/🇺🇸 /["/fæst/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈheɪ sti//🇺🇸 //ˈheɪsti// |
| Meaning | Moving or happening quickly. | Doing things quickly without thinking carefully. |
| Example | She runs very fast when she is late for school. | His hasty decision led to unexpected consequences. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | B1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | be, seem, extremely, fairly, very, be, seem, extremely, fairly, very | hasty decision, hasty retreat, hasty judgment |
| Antonyms | slow | slow, careful, deliberate |
| Common mistakes | 'Fast' is sometimes confused with 'quick' improperly., Learners often forget that 'fast' can be used for both time and physical speed., Some may incorrectly add 'ly' to make it an adverb (fastly). | Confusing 'hasty' with 'hasty decision', thinking it applies only to choices., Using 'hasty' as a noun or verb instead of an adjective., Forgetting that 'hasty' implies negative connotations. |
| Usage notes | Use 'fast' to describe speed, but be cautious when using it with 'to' (as in 'to fast', it means to not eat for a period of time). Appropriate in both written and spoken contexts. | Use 'hasty' to describe actions taken too quickly, often leading to mistakes. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Avoid using it in overly casual conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Fast vs Hasty
What's the difference between Fast and Hasty?
Fast: Moving or happening quickly. Hasty: Doing things quickly without thinking carefully.
Which is more common: Fast and Hasty?
Fast is the most common in everyday English.
Are Fast and Hasty the same CEFR level?
Fast: A1, Hasty: B1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Fast and Hasty interchangeably?
Not always. Fast and Hasty 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.