hasten
C1Formal, literary, sometimes neutral in written contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To cause something to happen more quickly; to hurry or accelerate a process or action.
To act or move with speed; to facilitate the occurrence of an event; to urge someone to act quickly.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies deliberate action to speed up a process; can carry a slightly formal or urgent tone. Differs from 'hurry' in being more transitive and process-oriented.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. Slightly more common in formal British writing.
Connotations
In both varieties, can imply urgency or deliberate acceleration.
Frequency
Moderately low frequency in both; more common in written than spoken English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
hasten sthhasten to do sthhasten + adverb/preposition (e.g., hasten away, hasten towards)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hasten slowly”
- “more haste, less speed”
- “hasten to add/say/point out”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
We must hasten the implementation of the new software to meet our quarterly targets.
Academic
The economic policies inadvertently hastened the collapse of the traditional industries.
Everyday
I hastened to finish my chores before the guests arrived.
Technical
The catalyst hastens the chemical reaction without being consumed.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The government hastened the passage of the bill through Parliament.
- She hastened to assure her colleagues that the project was on track.
American English
- The CEO hastened the company's shift to remote work.
- I hasten to point out that these figures are preliminary.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The good weather hastened the growth of the plants.
- He hastened home when he heard the news.
- The scandal hastened the minister's resignation.
- We must hasten our preparations for the audit.
- The discovery hastened a paradigm shift in scientific thinking.
- She hastened to dissociate herself from the controversial remarks.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'HASTE' is inside 'HASTEN'. To hasten is to add 'EN' (make) haste.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS MOTION; PROCESS IS A JOURNEY (hastening speeds up the journey towards an endpoint).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не смешивать с 'торопиться' (to hurry intransitively). 'Hasten' часто требует объекта.
- В выражениях типа 'hasten to add' означает 'поспешить добавить', а не 'ускорять добавление'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'hasten' intransitively like 'hurry' (e.g., 'I hastened to the shop' is less common).
- Confusing with 'haste' (noun) or 'hasty' (adjective).
- Overusing in informal speech where 'speed up' or 'hurry up' is more natural.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'hasten' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is more common in formal, written, or literary contexts. In everyday speech, 'speed up' or 'hurry (up)' are often preferred.
It can, but it's less common. Intransitive use (e.g., 'She hastened to the door') is acceptable but has a literary feel. Transitive use (hasten something) is more frequent.
'Hurry' is more general and common in speech. 'Hasten' often focuses on causing an event or process to happen sooner and is more formal. You can 'hurry someone' (tell them to go faster), but you 'hasten a process' (make it faster).
It's a fixed phrase meaning to quickly say something to clarify or correct a previous statement, often to prevent misunderstanding. E.g., 'It was a difficult project,' he hastened to add, 'but ultimately successful.'
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