Cool MateHinder vs Interfere
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Hinder
Interfere
| Hinder | Interfere | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈhɪndər//🇺🇸 //ˈhɪndər// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌɪntəˈfɪə(r)/","/ˌɪntəˈfɪəz/","/ˌɪntəˈfɪəd/","/ˌɪntəˈfɪərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌɪntərˈfɪr/","/ˌɪntərˈfɪrz/","/ˌɪntərˈfɪrd/","/ˌɪntərˈfɪrɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To make something difficult or slow down progress. | To get in the way of something or someone. |
| Example | The heavy rain will hinder our ability to drive safely. | I wish my parents would stop interfering and let me make my own decisions. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | hinder progress, hinder development, hinder efforts | seriously, directly, constantly, be allowed to, have a right to, attempt to, in, with |
| Antonyms | assist, help, facilitate | assist, help, support |
| Common mistakes | 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. | 'Interfere' is often confused with 'intervene', which has a slightly different meaning., Learners sometimes use 'interfere' without a preposition, which can sound awkward., Using 'interfere' when talking about positive involvement instead of negative disruption. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe obstacles or setbacks. Avoid using for minor inconveniences. | Use 'interfere' in situations where someone or something disrupts another's activities. It's generally neutral but can be negative in formal contexts, like in work or legal matters. |
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Frequently asked questions: Hinder vs Interfere
What's the difference between Hinder and Interfere?
Hinder: To make something difficult or slow down progress. Interfere: To get in the way of something or someone.
Which is more common: Hinder and Interfere?
Interfere is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Hinder and Interfere?
Interfere is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Hinder and Interfere the same CEFR level?
Hinder: B1, Interfere: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Hinder and Interfere?
Hinder: verb, Interfere: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Hinder: The heavy rain will hinder our ability to drive safely. Interfere: I wish my parents would stop interfering and let me make my own decisions.
Can I use Hinder and Interfere interchangeably?
Not always. Hinder and Interfere 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.