hampers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hampers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that hinders, restricts, or obstructs progress or development. Example: "The heavy regulations on small businesses often hampers their ability to innovate and grow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Speaking in German, she said: "We need to cut unnecessary red tape at the European level that hampers our companies in Germany just as in the UK.

The Guardian

Owner Vanessa Steel delivers champagne hampers, fresh flowers or truffles and continental breakfast baskets discreetly to the door so you won't be disturbed Short breaks £324 for three nights.

The Guardian - Travel

And the capital's hybrid status not quite a state, nor a municipality, nor a federal territory—hampers efforts to fix things.In the end, purpose-built capitals do serve as monuments, but the message they convey is rarely the one intended.

The Economist

The political influence of powerful manufacturers now looks like an obstacle to freeing up the Chinese capital account, for example, which in turn hampers the rebalancing of China's economy towards domestic consumption.

The Economist

All the while, the lack of competition hampers growth and benefits producers.

The Economist

The old model hampers entrepreneurship and innovation in small companies, an important component of a dynamic and responsive economy.

The Economist

This hampers the career development of those in low skilled work.

The Economist

Many officials dare not engage in bold local experiments for fear of offending someone powerful.That matters because reform ultimately requires an end to the dire system of hukou, or household registration, which relegates some 300m people who have migrated to cities from the countryside to second-class status and hampers their ability to become empowered consumers.

The Economist

And they complain that regulation hampers their expansion.

The Economist

This hampers scientific progress, especially in nascent fields where new discoveries abound.

The Economist

Moreover, different countries should experiment with different solutions: at present, many are bound by a United Nations convention that hampers even the most modest moves towards liberalisation, and that clearly needs amendment.To legalise will not be easy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hampers", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. It suggests an impediment or obstacle that slows down or prevents progress, so ensure this meaning aligns with your intended context.

Common error

While "hampers" is a correct and usable word, avoid overusing it in very informal settings where simpler words like "blocks" or "slows down" might be more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

Hampers functions primarily as a verb in the third-person singular present tense, indicating an action of impeding or hindering something. As Ludwig confirms, this use is grammatically correct and frequently found in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hampers" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term that signifies the act of impeding or hindering progress. As supported by Ludwig AI, it is most commonly found in news and media, and formal business contexts. While versatile, writers should consider simpler alternatives like "slows down" in informal settings. The phrase functions primarily as a verb and its purpose is to communicate obstruction or delay. When using "hampers", ensure that the context aligns with its meaning of creating an obstacle that affects progress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impedes

Similar in meaning, but often used in more formal contexts to indicate a slowing or prevention of progress.

hinders

A close synonym that also suggests making something difficult or delaying progress.

obstructs

Implies creating an obstacle that prevents movement or progress.

restricts

Suggests limiting or controlling something, thereby hindering its full potential or development.

constrains

Indicates a severe limitation or restriction, often due to external forces or circumstances.

curtails

Focuses on reducing or cutting short something, such as freedom or activity.

inhibits

Suggests a psychological or physiological restraint that prevents action or expression.

encumbers

Implies burdening someone or something, making progress heavy and difficult.

retards

Indicates slowing down or delaying progress, often used in technical or scientific contexts.

stifles

Suggests suppressing or holding back something, often referring to creativity or innovation.

FAQs

How can I use "hampers" in a sentence?

"Hampers" can be used to describe something that obstructs progress or development. For example: "Excessive bureaucracy hampers innovation".

What are some alternatives to "hampers"?

You can use alternatives such as "impedes", "hinders", or "obstructs" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "hampers" when referring to a single obstacle?

Yes, "hampers" can be used even when referring to a single obstacle, as it describes the action of impeding or hindering something.

What is the difference between "hampers" and "prevents"?

"Hampers" implies slowing down or making something difficult, while "prevents" implies stopping something altogether. Therefore, "prevents" is a stronger term.