Cool MateDelay vs Hinder
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Delay
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
Hinder
Top 5,000 (fairly common)B1verb
Most common: Delay
| Delay | Hinder | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈleɪ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈleɪ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈhɪndər//🇺🇸 //ˈhɪndər// |
| Meaning | To make something happen later than planned. | To make something difficult or slow down progress. |
| Example | Due to the heavy traffic, there was a significant delay in our arrival time. | 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 | B2 | B1 |
| Part of speech | noun | verb |
| Collocations | considerable, enormous, lengthy, series, be subject to, be plagued by, encounter, occur, without delay, delay in, delay of, considerable, enormous, lengthy, series, be subject to, be plagued by, encounter, occur, without delay, delay in, delay of | hinder progress, hinder development, hinder efforts |
| Antonyms | advance, hasten, expedite | assist, help, facilitate |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'delay' with 'defer' — 'defer' is often more formal., Using 'delayed' incorrectly in tense — check verb forms for accuracy., Overusing 'delay' in casual speech when simpler options like 'wait' are available. | 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 'delay' when referring to postponing events or actions. It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, but avoid using it in very casual conversations where simpler words like 'wait' might suffice. | 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: Delay vs Hinder
What's the difference between Delay and Hinder?
Delay: To make something happen later than planned. Hinder: To make something difficult or slow down progress.
Which is more common: Delay and Hinder?
Delay is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Delay and Hinder?
Delay is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Delay and Hinder the same CEFR level?
Delay: B2, Hinder: B1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Delay and Hinder?
Delay: noun, Hinder: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Delay: Due to the heavy traffic, there was a significant delay in our arrival time. Hinder: The heavy rain will hinder our ability to drive safely.
Can I use Delay and Hinder interchangeably?
Not always. Delay 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.