hindering

USAGE SUMMARY

"hindering" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is preventing or slowing down progress. For example: "The bad weather is hindering our efforts to finish the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Economically, tight state controls have fostered stagnation and popular resentment while hindering foreign investment.

The Guardian

They thought the emphasis on equality was itself a moral problem, hindering enterprise.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many LGBTQI NGO workers choose to remain invisible for fear of being discriminated against or hindering their employment prospects.

The Guardian

But after he pleaded guilty at Gunnedah local court on Wednesday to hindering a workman in the use of property, those offences were withdrawn.

The Guardian

Pocock was initially charged with three offences, including entering enclosed land without lawful excuse and hindering the working of mining equipment.

The Guardian

I'm assuming he'll be helping the Brownlees, rather than hindering other athletes by puncturing their tyres or filling their cycling shoes with raspberry jam, but even so – athletes have already been disqualified in this Olympics for not trying to win, and now we're sending someone out on the course with that very aim.

The Guardian - Sport

The allegations – while still not proven – are also hindering Jenkins's pledge to bolster returns to shareholders, who had to back a £5.8bn cash call last year: one which some feel might not have been needed if the decision to scale down the investment bank had been taken sooner.

The Guardian - Business

Mr Rubio speculates that the PAN's abundance of true believers may be hindering its intellectual development.

The Economist

Its editor said "political interference was hindering the investigation".As Greece gets forest fires under control, the political row begins to gather force.

The Economist

Returning to the annual growth rate of 8% that Chile enjoyed in 1991-97 will require a big increase in private investment.Mixed messages from the government are hindering this, according to the opposition.

The Economist

Much of the money may never arrive: based on the record following other disasters, Haitian officials expect to get just 15-20% of the pledged funds.Yet critics counter that not everything requires money, and that the government's inefficiency is hindering outsiders' efforts to step into the breach.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hindering" to describe something actively preventing or slowing down progress, but be mindful of choosing a synonym with a more precise nuance if appropriate. For example, "hampering" might be more suitable when describing something making an action more difficult, while "obstructing" implies a physical blockage.

Common error

Avoid using "hindering" when a stronger term is needed to describe complete prevention. For example, if something is completely stopping progress, use "preventing" or "blocking" instead of "hindering".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "hindering" is that of a present participle, often used as part of a continuous verb tense or as an adjective modifying a noun. It describes an ongoing action that is impeding or obstructing something else. This aligns with Ludwig's examples, showcasing its versatile use in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Hindering" functions as a present participle, effectively conveying the act of impeding or obstructing progress. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, including news, business, and scientific writing. While synonyms like impeding and obstructing exist, "hindering" offers a balanced approach for describing factors that slow down or prevent progress. Its versatility makes it appropriate for formal and informal communication. Therefore, you can confidently use "hindering" to communicate the action of impeding something in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impeding

Synonymous, but emphasizes delaying progress or action.

obstructing

Focuses on physically blocking or preventing something from happening.

hampering

Suggests making an action more difficult or slower.

blocking

Emphasizes preventing movement or passage.

slowing down

A more general term for reducing speed or progress.

thwarting

Implies preventing someone's plans or efforts from succeeding.

curtailing

Focuses on reducing or restricting something.

restricting

Emphasizes limiting or controlling something.

inhibiting

Suggests restraining or preventing an action or process.

stifling

Implies suppressing or preventing something from developing or growing.

FAQs

How can I use "hindering" in a sentence?

You can use "hindering" to describe something that is slowing down or preventing progress. For example, "The heavy rain is hindering our construction efforts."

What are some synonyms for "hindering"?

Some synonyms for "hindering" include "impeding", "obstructing", and "hampering".

What's the difference between "hindering" and "preventing"?

"Hindering" implies slowing down or making something more difficult, while "preventing" suggests completely stopping something. Preventing is a stronger term.

Is it appropriate to use "hindering" in formal writing?

Yes, "hindering" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a standard English word used in news reports, academic papers, and business communications.