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A2 verb #4,000 le plus courant 15 min de lecture

hurry

Top 4,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces hurry en 30 secondes

Explication hurry in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'hurry' is a very simple and important word. It means you need to move fast because you don't have much time. You use it when you are late for school or when your mom says 'Hurry up!' It is a physical action. You walk fast or run a little bit. For example, 'I hurry to the bus.' It is often used with the word 'up'. 'Hurry up' means 'Go faster!' It is one of the first words you learn for telling people what to do when time is short. You should remember that 'hurry' is about speed. If you are slow, you are not hurrying. This word helps you in basic conversations about your daily routine, like waking up and going to school. It is a friendly word but can also be a bit loud if someone is shouting it. Just remember: Hurry = Fast because of time.

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At the A2 level, you begin to use 'hurry' in more complete sentences and understand its connection to other words. You know that you can 'hurry to' a place, like 'I hurry to the shop.' You also understand that 'hurry' can be used with other verbs, like 'I hurry to finish my lunch.' This shows that you are doing an action quickly. You also start to see 'hurry' in different tenses, like 'I hurried yesterday' or 'I am hurrying now.' At this level, you should also be aware of the noun 'hurry,' as in the phrase 'in a hurry.' For example, 'I am in a hurry.' This level is about expanding the word from just a simple command into a way to describe your life and your actions when you feel the pressure of time. You use it to explain why you are moving fast or why you cannot talk for a long time.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'hurry' in both transitive and intransitive forms. You understand the nuance between 'hurry' and 'rush,' where 'hurry' is generally more organized. You can use adverbs to describe how someone is hurrying, such as 'She hurried nervously toward the stage.' You also begin to use 'hurry' in more complex grammatical structures, like conditional sentences: 'If we don't hurry, we will miss the start of the movie.' You are also learning common collocations like 'hurry back' or 'hurry along.' At this level, 'hurry' is not just about physical movement but can also refer to completing tasks or making decisions. You might say, 'Don't hurry your work,' meaning do it carefully. This shows a deeper understanding of how time pressure affects the quality of what we do.

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At the B2 level, you use 'hurry' with a sense of style and precision. You know when to use 'hurry' and when a more specific word like 'dash,' 'scurry,' or 'scramble' would be better to create a vivid picture for the reader or listener. You understand the idiomatic uses of the word, such as 'What's the hurry?' used to ask why someone is moving so fast. You can also use 'hurry' in a metaphorical sense, such as 'hurrying into a relationship' or 'hurrying a bill through parliament.' Your use of the word is more flexible, and you can adjust the register depending on who you are talking to. You are also aware of the negative implications of 'hurrying'—that it can lead to mistakes or lack of thought—and you can express these ideas clearly in discussions about work-life balance or productivity.

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At the C1 level, you have a sophisticated grasp of 'hurry' and its formal counterparts like 'hasten' or 'expedite.' You can analyze the use of 'hurry' in literature or news reports to understand the tone the author is trying to set. You are aware of the subtle social dynamics when using 'hurry' as an imperative and can navigate these carefully in professional environments. You might use the word in complex sentence structures, such as 'The government's decision to hurry the legislation through was met with significant public backlash.' You understand the etymological roots and how they relate to other Germanic languages, providing a deeper context for the word. Your vocabulary is rich enough that 'hurry' is just one of many tools you use to describe the concept of speed and urgency, and you choose it deliberately for its specific connotations.

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At the C2 level, you use 'hurry' with the nuance of a native speaker. You are sensitive to the rhythm and flow of the word within a sentence. You can use it in highly idiomatic or even poetic ways. You might explore the philosophy of 'hurry' in an essay, discussing how the modern obsession with speed affects human psychology. You understand the historical evolution of the word and its various registers perfectly. You can use 'hurry' to imply sarcasm, urgency, or even a sense of calm (e.g., 'There is no need to hurry,' said with an air of authority). Your mastery is such that you don't even have to think about the grammar or the prepositions; the word has become a natural part of your expressive repertoire, allowing you to convey the finest shades of meaning regarding time, speed, and human intent.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

hurry en 30 secondes

Hurry means to move or act quickly, often due to a lack of time.
It can be used as a command, such as 'Hurry up!'
It can describe physical movement or the speed of completing a task.
The past tense is 'hurried' and the present participle is 'hurrying'.

The verb hurry is a fundamental part of the English language used to describe the act of moving or acting with great speed, typically because there is a limited amount of time available. At its core, to hurry means to accelerate your pace beyond what is considered normal or relaxed. It is a word born from the necessity of time management and the pressures of modern life. People hurry when they are late for work, when they want to catch a bus, or when they need to finish a task before a deadline. The word conveys a sense of urgency that is both physical and mental. Physically, it involves faster movements—walking more quickly, typing faster, or speaking at an increased rate. Mentally, it involves a state of focus on the goal of saving time, often accompanied by a feeling of stress or excitement. This duality makes 'hurry' a versatile word that can describe a frantic rush or a purposeful acceleration.

Common Context: Used frequently in morning routines, travel scenarios, and professional deadlines where time is a scarce resource.

In a social sense, 'hurry' is often used as an imperative. 'Hurry up!' is one of the most common phrases in the English-speaking world, used by parents to children, friends to each other, and supervisors to employees. While it is often a neutral request for speed, it can sometimes carry a tone of impatience. Understanding the social cues surrounding the word is crucial for learners. For example, telling a superior to 'hurry' might be seen as rude, whereas telling a friend to 'hurry up' is usually acceptable in a casual setting. Furthermore, the word 'hurry' is often contrasted with 'dawdle' or 'linger,' which represent the opposite end of the speed spectrum. When you hurry, you are prioritizing the completion of an action or the arrival at a destination over the experience of the journey itself.

I had to hurry to the station because I woke up twenty minutes late for my meeting.

Beyond simple physical movement, 'hurry' can also be used transitively, meaning to make someone else move faster. When you say, 'Don't hurry me,' you are asking for more time to complete a thought or an action without pressure. This usage highlights the psychological pressure associated with the word. In literature and media, the concept of hurrying is often used to create suspense. A character hurrying through a dark forest or hurrying to stop a wedding creates immediate narrative tension. The word is also deeply connected to the concept of 'haste,' though 'hurry' is much more common in everyday conversation. In many cultures, the act of hurrying is seen as a sign of being busy and productive, while in others, it might be viewed as a lack of composure or grace. This cultural nuance is important for advanced learners to grasp as they navigate different social environments.

Nuance: Hurrying implies a response to external pressure, whereas 'rushing' often implies a lack of care or potential for mistakes.

Please hurry with those reports; the director needs them by noon.

In summary, 'hurry' is a multi-faceted verb that describes the intersection of speed and time pressure. It is essential for communicating needs, expressing urgency, and describing fast-paced actions. Whether you are hurrying through a meal or hurrying to finish a marathon, the word encapsulates the human effort to beat the clock. It is a word that reflects the fast-paced nature of our global society, where time is often equated with value and efficiency. As you learn to use 'hurry' correctly, pay attention to the prepositions that follow it, such as 'to', 'through', or 'along', as they change the focus of the action.

The students hurried out of the classroom as soon as the bell rang.

Register: Generally neutral, but 'hurry up' is informal. 'Hasten' is the formal academic equivalent.

Don't hurry your decision; it is important to think carefully about the consequences.

Using 'hurry' correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical structures and the common prepositions that accompany it. As an intransitive verb, 'hurry' often stands alone or is followed by an adverbial of direction. For example, 'We must hurry' is a complete thought expressing the need for speed. However, most often, we specify where we are hurrying to. The pattern hurry + to + [place] is the most frequent. You might hurry to the airport, hurry to the store, or hurry home. Note that 'home' does not require 'to' because it acts as an adverb in this context. This structure is essential for describing movement under pressure.

Grammar Pattern 1: Subject + hurry + (to) + Destination. Example: 'She hurried to the office.'

Another common pattern is hurry + to + [verb]. This is used when you are performing an action quickly. For instance, 'He hurried to finish his breakfast.' This indicates that the act of eating was done with speed to move on to the next task. This construction is particularly useful for describing a sequence of events where one action is rushed to accommodate another. It highlights the purpose behind the speed. In many cases, this can be substituted with 'rushed to [verb]', but 'hurry' remains the more standard, less chaotic choice for everyday activities.

The doctor hurried to see the next patient after the emergency was over.

The phrasal verb hurry up is a staple of conversational English. It is almost always used as an imperative or to describe a general increase in speed. 'Hurry up, or we'll be late!' is a classic example. It can also be used in the middle of a sentence: 'I wish the bus would hurry up.' Here, the 'up' adds an intensive quality to the verb, suggesting that the current pace is frustratingly slow. It is important to note that 'hurry up' is informal. In a professional email, you would likely use 'please expedite' or simply 'please hurry' instead of 'hurry up'.

When 'hurry' is used as a transitive verb, it takes an object. The pattern is hurry + [object]. This means to cause someone or something to move or happen more quickly. For example, 'Don't hurry the process.' This suggests that the process needs its natural time to be successful. Similarly, 'The waiter hurried the customers' implies that the waiter was trying to get them to leave quickly. This usage is less common than the intransitive form but is very effective for expressing pressure being applied by one person or force onto another.

Grammar Pattern 2: Subject + hurry + Object. Example: 'The rain hurried our departure from the park.'

You shouldn't hurry a child when they are learning something new.

Finally, 'hurry' can be modified by various adverbs to change the intensity of the action. You can 'hurry frantically,' 'hurry quietly,' or 'hurry along.' The addition of 'along'—as in 'hurry along now'—is a common way to encourage someone to keep moving without being overly aggressive. It is often used by teachers or tour guides. Understanding these combinations allows for a much more nuanced use of the word in both spoken and written English.

We hurried along the corridor, trying not to make any noise.

Collocation: 'Hurry back' is a friendly way to tell someone you want them to return quickly.

In conclusion, the sentence structures for 'hurry' are diverse but logical. By mastering the destination pattern, the infinitive pattern, and the phrasal 'hurry up,' you can accurately describe almost any situation involving speed and urgency. Always consider the context to decide if the intransitive or transitive form is more appropriate for the message you want to convey.

The word 'hurry' is ubiquitous in environments where time is a critical factor. One of the most common places you will hear it is in transportation hubs. At airports, train stations, and bus terminals, the atmosphere is often charged with the need for speed. Public announcements might not use 'hurry' directly (preferring 'proceed immediately'), but passengers certainly do. You will hear travelers saying to their companions, 'We need to hurry, the gate is closing!' or 'If we don't hurry, we'll miss the connection.' In these high-stakes environments, the word reflects the anxiety of missing a scheduled departure.

Environment 1: Transportation hubs and commuting routes during rush hour.

Another frequent setting is the household during the morning routine. This is perhaps the most relatable context for many. Parents often use the word to keep their children on schedule: 'Hurry and get your shoes on!' or 'Hurry up and eat your breakfast!' In this context, 'hurry' is a tool for time management, helping to ensure that everyone leaves the house on time for school and work. It is often paired with other time-sensitive words like 'late,' 'clock,' and 'time.' The tone here can range from playful and encouraging to stressed and impatient.

'Come on, kids, hurry up or the school bus will leave without you!'

In the workplace, 'hurry' is heard in the context of deadlines and project management. While formal meetings might use 'expedite' or 'accelerate,' the actual work floor or office space is filled with 'hurry.' A manager might say, 'We need to hurry this project along to meet the Friday deadline.' In fast-paced industries like journalism, hospitality, or healthcare, 'hurry' is a constant presence. In a restaurant kitchen, the head chef might shout 'Hurry!' to the line cooks to ensure that food reaches the customers while it is still hot. In these professional settings, the word is synonymous with efficiency and productivity.

You will also encounter 'hurry' in sports and competitive activities. Coaches often yell 'Hurry!' to their players to encourage a faster transition or a quick play. In this context, it is a motivational tool, pushing athletes to their physical limits. Fans also use it, shouting from the sidelines when they want their team to score before the clock runs out. This usage highlights the positive, high-energy aspect of the word, where speed is a competitive advantage rather than just a response to a mistake.

Environment 2: Competitive sports, gaming, and time-based challenges.

The crowd roared, ' Hurry!' as the striker raced toward the goal in the final seconds.

Finally, the word appears frequently in popular culture—in song lyrics, movie titles, and literature. It is a word that resonates with the universal human experience of being chased by time. Whether it is a romantic hero hurrying to the airport to confess their love or a character in a thriller hurrying to disarm a bomb, the word 'hurry' is a key ingredient in creating emotional engagement. Recognizing these contexts helps learners understand not just the definition of the word, but its emotional weight and social function.

Even though 'hurry' is a relatively simple verb, learners often make specific errors in its application. One of the most common mistakes is confusing 'hurry' with 'rush.' While they are synonyms, 'rush' often implies a lack of care, a sense of chaos, or a physical collision. If you 'hurry' to finish your homework, you are working fast. If you 'rush' your homework, you are likely making many mistakes. Learners often use 'rush' when 'hurry' would be more appropriate for a controlled increase in speed. Understanding this subtle difference in connotation is vital for precise communication.

Mistake 1: Using 'rush' when the action is fast but still careful. Correction: Use 'hurry' for purposeful speed.

Another frequent error involves the misuse of prepositions. Many learners try to use 'hurry' with 'at' or 'in' in ways that are grammatically incorrect for the verb form. For example, saying 'I hurried at the station' is incorrect if you mean you were moving quickly toward it; it should be 'I hurried to the station.' Similarly, 'hurry' is often confused with the noun phrase 'in a hurry.' You can say 'I am in a hurry' (noun) or 'I must hurry' (verb), but learners sometimes mix them up into 'I am hurrying in a hurry,' which is redundant and awkward.

Incorrect: I hurried for the bus.
Correct: I hurried to catch the bus.

The transitive use of 'hurry' also presents challenges. Learners might say 'The teacher hurried us to finish' which is acceptable, but they often struggle with the passive form. 'We were hurried' sounds slightly unnatural in many contexts where 'We were rushed' or 'We were pressured' would be better. Additionally, when using 'hurry' to mean 'make someone go faster,' learners sometimes forget the object. You cannot just say 'I hurried him,' without a context or a destination, as it sounds incomplete. You should say 'I hurried him along' or 'I hurried him into the car.'

There is also the issue of 'hurry' versus 'hasten.' 'Hasten' is a much more formal word and is almost never used in spoken conversation. A common mistake for advanced learners is using 'hasten' in a casual setting, which can make them sound overly stiff or academic. For instance, saying 'I must hasten to the restroom' sounds quite humorous to a native speaker because the register is too high for the situation. Stick to 'hurry' for 95% of your daily interactions.

Mistake 2: Over-formalizing. Using 'hasten' in casual conversation. Correction: Use 'hurry' or 'hurry up'.

Awkward: Please hasten your eating.
Natural: Please hurry up and finish your meal.

Finally, learners sometimes forget that 'hurry' is a regular verb. The past tense is 'hurried' (note the 'y' changes to 'i') and the present participle is 'hurrying.' Spelling mistakes like 'hurryed' are common. By being mindful of these spelling rules and the nuances of register and preposition use, you can avoid the most frequent pitfalls and use 'hurry' with the confidence of a native speaker.

While 'hurry' is a versatile and common word, English offers a rich variety of synonyms that can provide more specific meaning depending on the context. Understanding these alternatives allows you to describe speed with greater precision. The most common synonym is rush. As mentioned before, 'rush' implies more intensity and often more disorder than 'hurry.' You rush into a burning building; you hurry to a meeting. 'Rush' also suggests a physical movement that might be slightly out of control. Use 'rush' when you want to emphasize the frantic nature of the action.

Comparison: Hurry vs. Rush: 'Hurry' is about saving time; 'Rush' is about extreme speed, often with less care.

For short distances covered very quickly, dash is an excellent alternative. To 'dash' somewhere implies a sudden, quick run. For example, 'I need to dash to the shop before it closes' suggests a very quick trip. It sounds more energetic and less stressed than 'hurry.' Another similar word is bolt, which is usually used when someone leaves a place very suddenly, often out of fear or surprise. 'He bolted out of the room' creates a much stronger image than 'He hurried out of the room.'

She had to dash across the street to catch the postman.

In more formal or literary contexts, you might see hasten. This word is often used to describe accelerating a process or moving toward a conclusion. 'The news hastened his departure' means the news made him leave sooner. It is a sophisticated word that is best reserved for writing. Similarly, scurry and scuttle are used to describe the way small animals or people move with short, quick steps. 'The mice scurried across the floor' or 'The clerks scurried to finish the paperwork' both imply a busy, slightly nervous type of hurrying.

For physical running at high speed over a distance, sprint is the technical term. While you might 'hurry' to a gate, if you are actually running as fast as you can, you are 'sprinting.' On the other hand, scramble is used when the hurrying involves using your hands or moving over difficult terrain. 'They scrambled up the hill' or 'He scrambled to find his keys' both suggest a level of difficulty and urgency combined. These words add texture to your descriptions that 'hurry' alone cannot provide.

Comparison: Hurry vs. Scramble: 'Hurry' is general speed; 'Scramble' involves struggling or using hands to move quickly.

The hikers scrambled to find shelter as the storm began.

Finally, consider accelerate and expedite for technical or business contexts. You accelerate a car or a growth rate, and you expedite a shipment or a legal process. These words are precise and professional. By choosing the right word from this list—whether it is the frantic 'rush,' the sudden 'dash,' the formal 'hasten,' or the busy 'scurry'—you can communicate your exact meaning and elevate your English proficiency.

The company took steps to expedite the delivery of the essential medical supplies.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

Shakespeare was one of the first writers to use 'hurry' in its modern sense in his plays, helping to popularize the word in English literature.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈhʌri/

US /ˈhɜːri/

The stress is on the first syllable: HUR-ry.

Rime avec

Flurry Worry Curry Scurry Slurry Blurry Furry Murray

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'u' like 'oo' (hoory).
Making the 'r' sound too soft.
Putting stress on the second syllable.
Failing to change the 'y' to 'i' in 'hurried'.
Pronouncing 'hurrying' as 'hurring'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

The word is very common in texts and usually easy to understand from context.

Écriture 3/5

Spelling the past tense 'hurried' can be tricky for beginners.

Expression orale 2/5

Easy to pronounce and very useful in daily conversation.

Écoute 2/5

Clearly audible in most speech, though sometimes shortened in fast talk.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

Fast Go Time Late Run

Apprends ensuite

Rush Hasten Schedule Deadline Urgent

Avancé

Expedite Precipitate Celerity Dispatch

Grammaire à connaître

Spelling: Y to I

Hurry -> Hurried, Hurries. (But: Hurrying keeps the 'y')

Transitive vs Intransitive

Intransitive: I hurried. Transitive: I hurried him.

Hurry + To-Infinitive

He hurried to answer the door.

Imperative Mood

Hurry up!

Adverbial Modification

She hurried frantically.

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Exemples par niveau

Hurry up, the bus is here!

Dépêche-toi, le bus est là !

Imperative form of the phrasal verb 'hurry up'.

I hurry to school every morning.

Je me dépêche d'aller à l'école chaque matin.

Present simple tense for a routine.

Please hurry, I am waiting.

S'il vous plaît, dépêchez-vous, j'attends.

Polite request using 'please'.

Do not hurry, we have time.

Ne vous dépêchez pas, nous avons le temps.

Negative imperative.

She hurries to the door.

Elle se dépêche d'aller à la porte.

Third person singular 'y' changes to 'ies'.

We hurry because it is raining.

Nous nous dépêchons parce qu'il pleut.

Using 'because' to give a reason.

Hurry and eat your apple.

Dépêche-toi de manger ta pomme.

Hurry + and + another verb.

They hurry to the park.

Ils se dépêchent d'aller au parc.

Present simple with plural subject.

He hurried to finish his homework before dinner.

Il s'est dépêché de finir ses devoirs avant le dîner.

Past simple 'hurried'.

You should hurry if you want to see the show.

Tu devrais te dépêcher si tu veux voir le spectacle.

Modal verb 'should' followed by infinitive.

Are you hurrying to the meeting?

Est-ce que tu te dépêches pour aller à la réunion ?

Present continuous question.

I hurried home after the party ended.

Je me suis dépêché de rentrer à la maison après la fin de la fête.

'Home' used as an adverb after 'hurried'.

She didn't hurry, so she missed the train.

Elle ne s'est pas dépêchée, alors elle a raté le train.

Negative past simple.

Hurry back and tell me what happened.

Reviens vite et dis-moi ce qui s'est passé.

Phrasal verb 'hurry back'.

We need to hurry to catch the last bus.

Nous devons nous dépêcher pour attraper le dernier bus.

'Need to' followed by the verb 'hurry'.

They are hurrying to clean the house.

Ils se dépêchent de nettoyer la maison.

Present continuous for current action.

The doctor hurried into the emergency room.

Le médecin s'est précipité dans la salle d'urgence.

Using a prepositional phrase for direction.

Don't hurry me; I need to think about this.

Ne me presse pas ; j'ai besoin d'y réfléchir.

Transitive use of 'hurry' with an object.

She hurriedly packed her bags and left.

Elle a fait ses valises à la hâte et est partie.

Adverb 'hurriedly' modifying the verb 'packed'.

If we hurry, we can still make it to the opening ceremony.

Si nous nous dépêchons, nous pouvons encore arriver à la cérémonie d'ouverture.

First conditional sentence.

He hurried through the crowd to find his friend.

Il s'est frayé un chemin rapidement à travers la foule pour trouver son ami.

Preposition 'through' showing movement.

The rain hurried our decision to go inside.

La pluie a précipité notre décision de rentrer.

Transitive use where an event causes an action.

I hurried to answer the phone before it stopped ringing.

Je me suis dépêché de répondre au téléphone avant qu'il ne cesse de sonner.

Hurry + infinitive + before clause.

They hurried along the path to avoid the dark.

Ils se sont dépêchés le long du sentier pour éviter l'obscurité.

Phrasal verb 'hurry along'.

The company hurried the product to market to beat the competition.

L'entreprise a précipité la mise sur le marché du produit pour battre la concurrence.

Transitive use in a business context.

There is no need to hurry your recovery; take your time.

Il n'est pas nécessaire de précipiter votre rétablissement ; prenez votre temps.

Transitive use with an abstract noun.

She hurried past him without saying a single word.

Elle est passée rapidement devant lui sans dire un seul mot.

Preposition 'past' showing relative movement.

We hurried to conclude the deal before the end of the fiscal year.

Nous nous sommes dépêchés de conclure l'accord avant la fin de l'exercice financier.

Infinitive of purpose.

The chef hurried the kitchen staff during the dinner rush.

Le chef a bousculé le personnel de cuisine pendant le coup de feu du dîner.

Transitive use implying pressure.

He hurried his speech because he saw the audience getting bored.

Il a accéléré son discours parce qu'il a vu que le public s'ennuyait.

Transitive use referring to communication speed.

Don't be hurried into making a choice you might regret later.

Ne vous laissez pas presser de faire un choix que vous pourriez regretter plus tard.

Passive construction 'be hurried into'.

The wind hurried the clouds across the moonlit sky.

Le vent a chassé les nuages à travers le ciel éclairé par la lune.

Literary transitive use.

The witness was hurried into a waiting car by security personnel.

Le témoin a été engouffré dans une voiture qui l'attendait par le personnel de sécurité.

Passive voice with a prepositional phrase.

We must not hurry to judgment before all the evidence is presented.

Nous ne devons pas nous précipiter pour juger avant que toutes les preuves ne soient présentées.

Metaphorical use regarding mental processes.

The administration hurried the bill through the Senate in a midnight session.

L'administration a fait passer le projet de loi au Sénat en toute hâte lors d'une session de minuit.

Transitive use with 'through' in a political context.

She hurried her pace as she noticed a shadow following her.

Elle a accéléré le pas en remarquant qu'une ombre la suivait.

Transitive use with 'pace'.

The artist refused to be hurried, insisting that perfection takes time.

L'artiste a refusé qu'on le presse, insistant sur le fait que la perfection prend du temps.

Passive infinitive 'to be hurried'.

He hurried to explain his actions before they were misinterpreted.

Il s'est dépêché d'expliquer ses actes avant qu'ils ne soient mal interprétés.

Hurry + infinitive + passive clause.

The sudden frost hurried the end of the harvest season.

Le gel soudain a précipité la fin de la saison des récoltes.

Transitive use with a natural event as subject.

I hurried to the bedside of my ailing grandmother.

Je me suis précipité au chevet de ma grand-mère souffrante.

Expressing emotional urgency.

The protagonist's hurried departure served as a catalyst for the ensuing drama.

Le départ précipité du protagoniste a servi de catalyseur au drame qui a suivi.

Using the participle 'hurried' as an adjective.

To hurry is to fail to appreciate the present moment's intrinsic value.

Se dépêcher, c'est ne pas apprécier la valeur intrinsèque du moment présent.

Infinitive used as a subject in a philosophical statement.

He hurried his words, a clear indication of his burgeoning anxiety.

Il a précipité ses paroles, une indication claire de son anxiété naissante.

Transitive use with 'words' to denote psychological state.

The economic crisis hurried the collapse of several over-leveraged banks.

La crise économique a accéléré l'effondrement de plusieurs banques trop endettées.

Transitive use in a complex macro-economic context.

Don't hurry the narrative; let the characters breathe and evolve naturally.

Ne précipitez pas le récit ; laissez les personnages respirer et évoluer naturellement.

Transitive use in literary criticism.

The twilight hurried the birds back to their nests in the ancient oaks.

Le crépuscule a pressé les oiseaux de regagner leurs nids dans les vieux chênes.

Personification through the transitive use of 'hurry'.

She was hurried into a marriage of convenience by her ambitious parents.

Elle a été poussée à la hâte dans un mariage de convenance par ses parents ambitieux.

Passive voice expressing social coercion.

Nature cannot be hurried, yet everything is eventually accomplished.

On ne peut pas presser la nature, et pourtant tout finit par s'accomplir.

Philosophical passive construction.

Collocations courantes

Hurry home

Hurry back

Hurry through

Hurry to the airport

In a great hurry

Hurry into

Hurry along

Hurry to finish

Hurry to help

Hurry up and...

Phrases Courantes

Hurry up

— A command to go faster or finish something quickly. It is very common in spoken English.

Hurry up, we're going to be late!

No hurry

— Used to tell someone they have plenty of time and don't need to move fast. It is a polite way to reduce pressure.

There's no hurry, take your time with the book.

What's the hurry?

— A question asked when someone is moving very fast, often implying that they should slow down.

What's the hurry? The meeting doesn't start for an hour.

In a hurry

— To be in a state of needing to move fast. This is the noun form of the concept.

I'm in a hurry, can we talk later?

Hurry-scurry

— Describing a situation that is confused and hurried. It is a bit old-fashioned but still used.

The room was in a hurry-scurry of activity before the guests arrived.

Hurry it along

— To make a process or person move faster. Often used by managers or teachers.

We need to hurry this project along if we want to finish this month.

Don't hurry me

— A request for someone to stop putting pressure on you to move or think faster.

Don't hurry me; I'm trying to remember the password.

Hurry to a conclusion

— To make a judgment or decision too quickly without enough evidence.

Let's not hurry to a conclusion until we have all the facts.

Hurry yourself

— A reflexive use, similar to 'hurry up', often used to tell someone to get moving.

You need to hurry yourself if you want breakfast.

A hurried meal

— A meal eaten very quickly, usually because of a busy schedule.

I only had time for a hurried meal before the flight.

Souvent confondu avec

hurry vs Rush

Rush is more chaotic and potentially careless than hurry.

hurry vs Race

Race implies a competition to be first, while hurry just implies speed.

hurry vs Speed

Speed is often used for vehicles or general velocity, not just human action.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Hurry up and wait"

— A phrase describing a situation where you have to rush to get somewhere, only to wait for a long time when you arrive.

The military is often described as 'hurry up and wait'.

Informal

"In no hurry"

— Not wanting to do something or having no reason to do it quickly.

I'm in no hurry to go back to that cold weather.

Neutral

"Hurry for no man"

— A variation of 'Time and tide wait for no man', implying that the need to speed is independent of individuals.

The schedule hurries for no man, so be on time.

Literary

"Don't hurry the dawn"

— A poetic way of saying that some things must take their natural time and cannot be forced.

Be patient with your healing; don't hurry the dawn.

Poetic

"Hurry-skurry"

— In a state of chaotic haste.

They ran hurry-skurry through the halls.

Old-fashioned

"To be hurried off your feet"

— To be extremely busy and under constant pressure to move fast.

With the new project, I've been hurried off my feet all week.

Informal

"What's the fire?"

— An idiom used to ask why someone is hurrying so much, as if they are going to put out a fire.

Slow down! What's the fire?

Slang/Informal

"Beat the clock"

— To finish something before a specific time limit.

We had to hurry to beat the clock and submit the entry.

Informal

"Cut it fine"

— To allow only just enough time to do something, requiring a hurry at the end.

You're cutting it fine; you'd better hurry if you want to catch that train.

Neutral

"Against the clock"

— Doing something as fast as possible because there is a deadline.

They were hurrying against the clock to save the patient.

Neutral

Facile à confondre

hurry vs Rush

Both mean going fast.

Hurry is usually about time management. Rush is about extreme speed that often leads to mistakes or a feeling of being overwhelmed.

I hurried to work (I was fast). I rushed the project (I did it too fast and made errors).

hurry vs Hasten

They are direct synonyms.

Hasten is strictly formal and usually used for processes or in literature. You would never say 'Hasten up!' to a friend.

The medicine helped to hasten his recovery.

hurry vs Dash

Both involve moving fast.

Dash implies a very short, sudden burst of speed over a small distance. Hurry is more general and can last longer.

I'll dash to the car to get my umbrella.

hurry vs Scurry

Both mean moving fast.

Scurry describes the way of moving (small, quick steps), whereas hurry describes the reason (lack of time).

The squirrels scurried away when they saw the dog.

hurry vs Expedite

Both mean to make something go faster.

Expedite is a business/legal term used for making a process happen sooner. It is not used for physical movement.

We can expedite the shipping for an extra fee.

Structures de phrases

Hurry up!

Hurry up, the movie starts now!

I hurry to [place].

I hurry to the library after class.

Subject + hurried + to + [verb].

She hurried to pack her suitcase.

Don't hurry [object].

Don't hurry the sauce; it needs to simmer.

Subject + was hurried + [prepositional phrase].

He was hurried into the conference room.

Subject + hurried + [abstract noun].

The crisis hurried the inevitable downfall of the regime.

If + Subject + don't hurry...

If you don't hurry, we'll miss the train.

Hurry back!

Have a safe trip and hurry back!

Famille de mots

Noms

Hurry (the state of being fast)

Hurriedness (the quality of being hurried)

Verbes

Hurry (to move fast)

Hurrying (the act of moving fast)

Adjectifs

Hurried (done quickly)

Unhurried (done slowly and calmly)

Apparenté

Haste

Hasten

Hastiness

Hastily

Rush

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written English.

Erreurs courantes

I am hurrying to the station in a hurry. → I am hurrying to the station.
This is redundant. 'Hurrying' already means you are in a hurry.
Hurry up and to finish your work. → Hurry up and finish your work.
After 'and', you use the base form of the verb, not the infinitive with 'to'.
He hurryed home. → He hurried home.
The spelling requires changing 'y' to 'i' before adding '-ed'.
I hurried at the airport. → I hurried to the airport.
Use 'to' to show the destination you are hurrying toward.
She hurried her breakfast eating. → She hurried through her breakfast.
It is more natural to say 'hurry through' an activity than to use 'hurry' with a gerund object like this.

Astuces

Spelling Rule

Always change the 'y' to 'i' in 'hurried' and 'hurries'. This is a consistent rule for verbs ending in a consonant + y.

Politeness

In a professional setting, use 'Could you please hurry?' instead of just 'Hurry up!' to maintain a polite tone.

Synonym Choice

Use 'dash' for short distances and 'rush' for frantic situations to sound more like a native speaker.

Emphasis

If you want to sound very urgent, stretch the 'u' sound slightly: 'Huuuuu-rry up!'

Avoid Redundancy

Don't say 'hurriedly rushed' because both words mean the same thing. Just choose one.

Context Clues

When you hear 'hurry', look for a clock or a watch. The speaker is almost always talking about time.

No Hurry

Remember that 'no hurry' is a great way to be kind to service workers, like waiters or clerks.

Transitive Use

Remember you can hurry a *person* or a *process*. 'Don't hurry the chef' is a great example.

Literary Effect

In stories, use 'hurried' as an adjective for objects, like 'a hurried note', to show the character's state of mind.

Visual Aid

Visualize a rabbit with a pocket watch (like in Alice in Wonderland) to remember the word 'hurry'.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'Hurry' as a 'Hurricane'—both move very fast and create a lot of wind and energy!

Association visuelle

Imagine a person running with their hair blowing back and their eyes wide, looking at a giant clock chasing them.

Word Web

Speed Time Late Fast Deadline Rush Clock Quick

Défi

Try to use the word 'hurry' in three different ways today: as a command, in the past tense, and with the word 'to'.

Origine du mot

The word 'hurry' emerged in the late 16th century. It is believed to be of imitative origin, perhaps intended to sound like the sound of rapid movement or a sudden commotion.

Sens originel : It originally meant 'to vibrate' or 'to shake', which later evolved into the sense of 'to move rapidly' or 'to drive someone forward'.

Germanic (English origin, likely related to Middle High German 'hurren' meaning to move quickly).

Contexte culturel

Avoid telling elderly people or those with disabilities to 'hurry' as it can be insensitive to their physical needs.

In the UK and US, 'Hurry up' is very common but can be perceived as slightly rude to strangers or superiors.

'Hurry Up' by the band M83. The White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland constantly hurrying. The phrase 'Hurry up, please, it's time' from T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Morning Routine

Hurry up and get dressed.
We need to hurry or we'll miss the bus.
Hurry and eat your breakfast.
Don't hurry me while I'm brushing my teeth.

Travel

Hurry to the gate.
We had to hurry through security.
Hurry back from the restroom.
Please hurry, the taxi is waiting.

Work/School

Hurry to finish the report.
Don't hurry the experiment.
He hurried through the presentation.
We need to hurry this project along.

Emergencies

Hurry and call 911!
The doctors hurried to the patient.
Hurry into the shelter.
We must hurry before the storm hits.

Socializing

Hurry back soon!
Don't hurry away, stay for coffee.
What's the hurry? Stay a while.
She hurried to greet her guests.

Amorces de conversation

"Do you usually hurry in the morning, or are you a slow person?"

"When was the last time you had to hurry to catch a train or bus?"

"Do you think people in your country hurry too much in their daily lives?"

"Does it bother you when people tell you to hurry up?"

"What is one task you never like to hurry through?"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe a time when you hurried and made a mistake. What happened?

Write about a 'perfect day' where you didn't have to hurry at all. What would you do?

How does it feel physically and mentally when you are in a hurry? Describe the sensations.

Compare the benefits of hurrying versus taking your time in a work environment.

Reflect on a cultural difference you've noticed regarding how people hurry.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It can be both! As a verb, it means to move fast (e.g., 'I must hurry'). As a noun, it refers to the state of being fast (e.g., 'I am in a hurry'). This flexibility makes it very common.

The past tense is 'hurried'. Note that the 'y' at the end of 'hurry' changes to an 'i' before adding '-ed'. This is a common spelling rule in English.

It is more natural to say 'Hurry up!' or 'You need to hurry up!' Adding 'you' at the end can sound a bit aggressive or non-native unless you say 'Hurry up, you guys!'

'Hurry' is the general verb. 'Hurry up' is a phrasal verb often used as a command to increase speed immediately. They are very similar, but 'hurry up' is more common in speech.

Yes, it is the adverb form of 'hurry'. You use it to describe how an action was done. For example, 'He hurriedly wrote the note before leaving.'

Use 'hasten' in formal writing, like a business letter or an academic paper, to describe making a process go faster. Avoid it in casual talk.

Yes, but usually in a transitive sense. For example, 'The wind hurried the leaves along the street.' It gives the object a sense of being pushed by a force.

Yes, it is a very polite way to tell someone they can take their time. It reduces the pressure on the other person and makes them feel more relaxed.

It is a common question used to ask someone why they are moving so fast. It often suggests that there is no reason to be so fast and that they should slow down.

Absolutely! Coaches use it to tell players to move faster, and it is also used to describe a 'hurry-up offense' in American football where the team moves very quickly.

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