Cool MateBlock vs Hinder
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Block
Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun
Hinder
Top 5,000 (fairly common)B1verb
Most common: Block
| Block | Hinder | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/blɒk/"]/🇺🇸 /["/blɑːk/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈhɪndər//🇺🇸 //ˈhɪndər// |
| Meaning | To stop something from happening or to make it impossible to pass. | To make something difficult or slow down progress. |
| Example | He threw a block of wood into the fire. | The heavy rain will hinder our ability to drive safely. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | B1 |
| Part of speech | noun | verb |
| Collocations | big, huge, large, on the chopping block, high-rise, tower, tenement, in a/the block, block of, city, around the block, round the block, block from, city, around the block, round the block, block from, mental, writer’s, experience, have, suffer from, big, huge, large, on the chopping block | hinder progress, hinder development, hinder efforts |
| Antonyms | allow, permit, facilitate | assist, help, facilitate |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'block' as a noun vs. verb., Using 'block' with the wrong prepositions., Saying 'blocked by' instead of 'blocked from'. | Confusing with 'prevent', which means to stop something completely., Using 'hinder' without an object, which makes it grammatically incorrect., Overusing in casual conversation; it's better suited for formal writing. |
| Usage notes | Use 'block' when referring to stopping something physically or metaphorically. It's appropriate in both everyday and formal contexts. Avoid using it in overly casual conversations. | Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe obstacles or setbacks. Avoid using for minor inconveniences. |
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Frequently asked questions: Block vs Hinder
What's the difference between Block and Hinder?
Block: To stop something from happening or to make it impossible to pass. Hinder: To make something difficult or slow down progress.
Which is more common: Block and Hinder?
Block is the most common in everyday English.
Are Block and Hinder the same CEFR level?
Block: B1, Hinder: B1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Block and Hinder?
Block: noun, Hinder: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Block: He threw a block of wood into the fire. Hinder: The heavy rain will hinder our ability to drive safely.
Can I use Block and Hinder interchangeably?
Not always. Block and Hinder 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.