What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hamper
Example
The heavy rain hampered our progress on the hike. [hampered: past tense]
Example
The boxes in the hallway were hampering the movers' ability to carry furniture. [hampering: present participle]
impede
Example
The construction work impeded traffic flow on the highway. [impeded: past tense]
Example
The language barrier was impeding communication between the two parties. [impeding: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hamper is more commonly used in everyday language than impede. Hamper is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while impede is more formal and often used in academic or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hamper and impede?
Impede is more formal than hamper and is often used in academic or professional contexts. Hamper is less formal and can be used in both formal and informal settings.
