Cool MateMake haste vs Speed
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Make haste
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Speed
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Most common: Speed
| Make haste | Speed | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //meɪk heɪst//🇺🇸 //meɪk heɪst// | 🇬🇧 /["/spiːd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/spiːd/"]/ |
| Meaning | To hurry or go quickly. | How fast something moves. |
| Example | We must **make haste** if we want to catch the last train. | The speed of the car was incredible as it raced down the highway. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A2 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | make haste slowly, make haste to, make haste and do | amazing, astonishing, breakneck, burst, rate, attain, reach, build up, increase, decrease, control, reduction, restriction, at speed, in speed, with speed, at full speed, full speed, full speed ahead, amazing, astonishing, breakneck, burst, rate, attain, reach, build up, increase, decrease, control, reduction, restriction, at speed, in speed, with speed, at full speed, full speed, full speed ahead, amazing, astonishing, breakneck, burst, rate, attain, reach, build up, increase, decrease, control, reduction, restriction, at speed, in speed, with speed, at full speed, full speed, full speed ahead |
| Antonyms | - | slowness, laziness |
| Common mistakes | 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. | Confusing 'speed' with 'pace' when referring to a specific time or distance., Incorrectly using 'speed' as a verb in sentences., Saying 'the speed' when discussing averages — should specify the context (e.g., 'average speed'). |
| Usage notes | Use 'make haste' in slightly formal contexts or literary settings. It may sound old-fashioned in casual conversation. | Use 'speed' in everyday conversations about how quickly something happens. It is appropriate in most contexts, but avoid using it in highly technical discussions unless specifying the type of speed. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Make haste vs Speed
What's the difference between Make haste and Speed?
Make haste: To hurry or go quickly. Speed: How fast something moves.
Which is more common: Make haste and Speed?
Speed is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Make haste: We must **make haste** if we want to catch the last train. Speed: The speed of the car was incredible as it raced down the highway.
Can I use Make haste and Speed interchangeably?
Not always. Make haste and Speed 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.