Accelerate vs Hurry up let's get him vs Rush

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

Accelerate

Top 2,000 (common)C1verb

Hurry up let's get him

InformalTop 2,000 (common)

Rush

Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Most common: Rush
 AccelerateHurry up let's get himRush
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/əkˈseləreɪt/","/əkˈseləreɪts/","/əkˈseləreɪtɪd/","/əkˈseləreɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əkˈseləreɪt/","/əkˈseləreɪts/","/əkˈseləreɪtɪd/","/əkˈseləreɪtɪŋ/"]/🇬🇧 //ˈhʌri ʌp//🇺🇸 //ˈhɜri ʌp//🇬🇧 /["/rʌʃ/","/ˈrʌʃɪz/","/rʌʃt/","/ˈrʌʃɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rʌʃ/","/ˈrʌʃɪz/","/rʌʃt/","/ˈrʌʃɪŋ/"]/
MeaningTo go faster or make something go faster.To do something quickly.to move quickly or hurry
ExampleThe company aims to accelerate the development of new technologies.Hurry up, let's get him before he leaves!I had to rush to the station to catch my train before it left.
RegisterNeutralInformalNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 2,000 (common)Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR levelC1-B2
Part of speechverbverb
Collocationsdramatically, greatly, rapidly, hard, quickly, smoothlyhurry up and wait, hurry up please, hurry up nowheadlong, 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' instead of 'hurry up'., Confusing with 'hurry down' which is not commonly used., Mispronouncing the phrase in rapid conversation.Incorrectly 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.Use 'hurry up' in casual situations to prompt someone to be quicker. Avoid in formal contexts.Commonly used when talking about a need to hurry, like catching a bus. Avoid in very formal situations.

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Hurry up let's get him

Frequently asked questions: Accelerate vs Hurry up let's get him vs Rush

What's the difference between Accelerate, Hurry up let's get him, and Rush?

Accelerate: To go faster or make something go faster. Hurry up let's get him: To do something quickly. Rush: to move quickly or hurry

Which is more common: Accelerate, Hurry up let's get him, and Rush?

Rush is the most common in everyday English.

Which is more advanced: Accelerate, Hurry up let's get him, 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 let's get him: Hurry up, let's get him before he leaves! Rush: I had to rush to the station to catch my train before it left.

Can I use Accelerate, Hurry up let's get him, and Rush interchangeably?

Not always. Accelerate, Hurry up let's get him, 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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