What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
prevented
Example
The vaccine prevented the spread of the disease. [prevent: verb]
Example
Wearing a helmet can prevent head injuries in case of an accident. [prevent: verb]
hindered
Example
The heavy traffic hindered our arrival at the airport. [hindered: past tense]
Example
His lack of experience hindered his ability to perform well on the job. [hindered: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Prevent is more commonly used than hinder in everyday language. Prevent is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while hinder is less common and tends to be used in more formal or academic settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between prevented and hindered?
Prevent is generally considered more formal than hinder, which is often used in casual conversation. However, both words can be used in formal or informal contexts depending on the situation.