What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hinder
Example
The bad weather hindered our progress on the road. [hindered: past tense]
Example
The lack of resources hindered the company's growth. [hindered: verb]
impede
Example
The construction work impeded traffic flow in the city. [impeded: past tense]
Example
The language barrier impeded communication between the two parties. [impeded: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hinder is more common in everyday language than impede. Hinder is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while impede is more formal and often used in professional or academic writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hinder and impede?
Impede is more formal than hinder and is often used in professional or academic writing. Hinder is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
