hurry up

USAGE SUMMARY

"hurry up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when urging someone to do something faster. Example: Hurry up and get ready so we don't miss the bus.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hurry up".

The New York Times

Come on, hurry up.

The New Yorker

"Hurry up," Williams said.

The New York Times - Sports

Better hurry up, amigo".

The New Yorker

Hey, hurry up.

The New York Times

Hurry up and pack!

The New Yorker

Hurry up, Lyfe Kitchen.

The New York Times - Magazine

But hurry up!

Cornell University

"Hurry up!" I urged.

The Washington Post

Mom, she says, 'Hurry up.

The New Yorker

"Hurry up," my mother said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hurry up" when you want to directly prompt someone to expedite their actions. It is appropriate for informal settings but can be perceived as rude in very formal contexts. Make sure your tone and relationship with the person justifies the directness.

Common error

Avoid using "hurry up" in professional emails or formal presentations. Opt for more polite alternatives like "please proceed promptly" or "we need to expedite this process" to maintain a respectful and professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hurry up" functions as an imperative verb phrase. As seen in Ludwig, it's used to directly command or urge someone to increase their speed or to expedite an action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in this context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

9%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hurry up" is a common imperative phrase used to urge someone to act more quickly. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While widely used, it is important to consider the context and audience, as its directness may be inappropriate in formal settings. Alternatives such as "make haste" or "please be quick" are more polite options in professional environments. As Ludwig demonstrates, this phrase is frequently found in news and media but has limited presence in scientific or business contexts, suggesting a more casual tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get a move on

Common and versatile, suitable for various situations.

make haste

More formal and emphasizes speed and efficiency.

get cracking

Informal and encourages starting something without delay.

step on it

More informal and implies increasing speed, often in a vehicle.

pronto

Borrowed from Spanish/Italian, it indicates immediate action.

chop-chop

Informal and slightly playful, indicating prompt action.

look alive

Informal and motivates alertness and faster activity.

shake a leg

Informal and somewhat old-fashioned, urging quicker action.

buckle down

To apply oneself seriously to a task or endeavor.

snap it up

Quickly complete or obtain

FAQs

How can I use "hurry up" in a sentence?

You can use "hurry up" as an imperative to urge someone to do something faster, such as "Hurry up, we're going to be late!" or "Hurry up and finish your homework".

What's a more polite way to say "hurry up"?

Instead of saying "hurry up", you could say "please proceed quickly", "could you expedite this", or "let's try to move a little faster" depending on the situation.

What can I say instead of "hurry up" when addressing a group?

When addressing a group, try using phrases like "let's keep things moving", "time is of the essence", or "we need to be efficient".

When is it appropriate to use "hurry up"?

It's generally appropriate to use "hurry up" with friends, family, or in casual settings where a degree of informality is acceptable. Avoid using it in professional or formal contexts where it may be perceived as impolite.