Hurry vs Make haste
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Hurry
Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb
Make haste
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Hurry
| Hurry | Make haste | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈhʌri/","/ˈhʌriz/","/ˈhʌrid/","/ˈhʌriɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈhɜːri/","/ˈhɜːriz/","/ˈhɜːrid/","/ˈhɜːriɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //meɪk heɪst//🇺🇸 //meɪk heɪst// |
| Meaning | To go fast or make someone go fast. | To hurry or go quickly. |
| Example | You need to hurry if you want to catch the bus. | We must **make haste** if we want to catch the last train. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | hurry up, in a hurry, hurry home, hurry along, hurry to finish | make haste slowly, make haste to, make haste and do |
| Antonyms | delay, slow, pause | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'hurry' with 'rush' in different contexts., Using 'hurry' without an object when one is needed., Mispronouncing 'hurry' as if it has two syllables. | Confused with 'make waste' - they are different expressions., Using in very informal settings where it sounds out of place., Forgetting to use it in the imperative form when commanding someone to hurry. |
| Usage notes | Use 'hurry' when you need to act quickly. It's suitable for all types of communication but avoid it in very formal contexts. | Use 'make haste' in slightly formal contexts or literary settings. It may sound old-fashioned in casual conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Hurry vs Make haste
What's the difference between Hurry and Make haste?
Hurry: To go fast or make someone go fast. Make haste: To hurry or go quickly.
Which is more common: Hurry and Make haste?
Hurry is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Hurry: You need to hurry if you want to catch the bus. Make haste: We must **make haste** if we want to catch the last train.
Can I use Hurry and Make haste interchangeably?
Not always. Hurry and Make haste 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.