Cool MateHurry up vs Prompt
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Hurry up
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Prompt
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Most formal: Prompt
| Hurry up | Prompt | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈhʌri ʌp//🇺🇸 //ˈhɜri ʌp// | 🇬🇧 //prɒmpt//🇺🇸 //prɑːmpt// |
| Meaning | Do something faster. | to encourage someone to do something. |
| Example | You need to hurry up or we will miss the train! | The teacher will prompt you to think critically about the topic. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | hurry up and wait, hurry up before, hurry up to | prompt an action, prompt a response, prompt someone to do something, prompt questions, prompt feedback |
| Antonyms | - | deter, discourage |
| Common mistakes | Omitting 'up', saying just 'hurry'., 'Hurry up' used in formal writing., Using 'hurry up' without an object or activity. | Confusing with 'propose' - 'prompt' is more about encouragement., Using 'prompt' without a following action - it usually needs something to follow., Saying 'prompt someone for doing' instead of 'prompt someone to do'. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in casual contexts to prompt someone to act more quickly. Avoid in formal situations. | Use 'prompt' in formal or neutral contexts when encouraging action or thought. Avoid in informal conversation. |
Frequently asked questions: Hurry up vs Prompt
What's the difference between Hurry up and Prompt?
Hurry up: Do something faster. Prompt: to encourage someone to do something.
Which is more formal: Hurry up and Prompt?
Prompt is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Hurry up: You need to hurry up or we will miss the train! Prompt: The teacher will prompt you to think critically about the topic.
Can I use Hurry up and Prompt interchangeably?
Not always. Hurry up and Prompt 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.