What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hampered
Example
The team's progress was hampered by the lack of resources. [hampered: verb]
Example
The company's growth was hampered by the economic downturn. [hampered: past participle]
impede
Example
The construction work impeded traffic flow on the highway. [impeded: verb]
Example
The new regulations will impede the company's ability to expand. [impede: present tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hampered is more commonly used in everyday language than impede. Hampered is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while impede is more formal and is often used in academic or professional contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hampered and impede?
Impede is more formal than hampered and is often used in academic or professional contexts. Hampered is more informal and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.