To hinder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "To hinder" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or factors that obstruct or impede progress or development. Example: "The heavy rain is likely to hinder our plans for an outdoor event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He should have tried Nf6 to hinder g4-g5.

The Guardian - Sport

"They don't want anyone to hinder the investigation," she said.

The New York Times

How can you ask us to hinder it?

The New York Times

Like many former runners, injuries started to hinder my performance.

The New York Times

"We don't want to do anything to hinder Blu-ray".

The New York Times - Tech

The layoff did nothing to hinder his effectiveness.

The New York Times - Sports

So why should it be recognised just to hinder him?

The Guardian - Opinion

But it takes more than ruts to hinder Kostelic.

The New York Times - Sports

The caution is likely to hinder job growth.

The New York Times - Tech

Then Dodd-Frank sought to hinder that power.

The New York Times

Other developments have threatened to hinder Iraq's efforts at reconciliation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to hinder" when you want to emphasize the slowing down or obstruction of a process or action, rather than completely stopping it.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of "to hinder" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "to impede", "to obstruct", or "to hamper" for a more engaging and sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to hinder" is as an infinitive verb phrase, often used to express purpose or consequence. It indicates an action that someone or something might take to impede or obstruct another action or process, as supported by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to hinder" is a versatile and frequently used infinitive verb phrase that signifies the act of impeding or obstructing something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While "to hinder" is a valuable addition to your vocabulary, remember to consider synonyms like "to impede", "to obstruct", and "to hamper" to add nuance and variety to your writing. By understanding its function, purpose, and common usage patterns, you can effectively employ "to hinder" in your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

To impede

Focuses on slowing down or obstructing progress.

To obstruct

Emphasizes creating a barrier or obstacle.

To hamper

Suggests making something difficult to do or achieve.

To thwart

Implies preventing someone from accomplishing something.

To impede the progress of

Specifically targets the forward movement of something.

To set back

Indicates causing a delay or reversal in progress.

To slow down

Focuses on reducing the speed of something.

To get in the way of

Suggests an obstacle that prevents easy passage or progress.

To interfere with

Indicates meddling or intrusion that disrupts progress.

To hold back

Implies restraining or preventing advancement.

FAQs

How can I use "to hinder" in a sentence?

You can use "to hinder" to describe something that is preventing or slowing down progress. For example: "The lack of funding is likely "to hinder" the project's completion."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "to hinder"?

Alternatives to "to hinder" include "to impede", "to obstruct", "to hamper", and "to thwart". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "to hinder" or "to prevent"?

"To hinder" implies slowing down or making something difficult, while "to prevent" means stopping it altogether. Use "to prevent" when the action is completely blocked, and "to hinder" when it's just made more difficult. For example, "The rain hindered our progress", versus "The wall prevented our passage".

What's the difference between "to hinder" and "to delay"?

"To delay" specifically refers to postponing or slowing something down in terms of time. "To hinder" is broader and can refer to any kind of obstruction, not just temporal. You might say, "The traffic delayed us", or "The bureaucracy hindered the project", depending on whether time is the primary factor.