Cool MateAccelerate vs Hey can we hurry it up vs Rush
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Accelerate
Hey can we hurry it up
Rush
| Accelerate | Hey can we hurry it up | Rush | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əkˈseləreɪt/","/əkˈseləreɪts/","/əkˈseləreɪtɪd/","/əkˈseləreɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əkˈseləreɪt/","/əkˈseləreɪts/","/əkˈseləreɪtɪd/","/əkˈseləreɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //heɪ kæn wiː ˈhʌr.i ɪt ʌp//🇺🇸 //heɪ kæn wi ˈhɝ.i ɪt ʌp// | 🇬🇧 /["/rʌʃ/","/ˈrʌʃɪz/","/rʌʃt/","/ˈrʌʃɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rʌʃ/","/ˈrʌʃɪz/","/rʌʃt/","/ˈrʌʃɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To go faster or make something go faster. | To ask if something can be done faster. | to move quickly or hurry |
| Example | The company aims to accelerate the development of new technologies. | Hey, can we hurry it up? The show starts in ten minutes. | I had to rush to the station to catch my train before it left. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | |
| Collocations | dramatically, greatly, rapidly, hard, quickly, smoothly | hurry it up a bit, can we hurry it up, let's hurry it up, hurry it up, please, hurry it up right now | headlong, madly, quickly, along, from, into, come rushing, go rushing, rush to somebody’s rescue, headlong, madly, quickly, along, from, into, come rushing, go rushing, rush to somebody’s rescue |
| Antonyms | decelerate, slow down | - | slow, dawdle, linger |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'decelerate' (which means to slow down)., Using 'accelerate' without an object when it should have one., Incorrectly assuming it can only apply to vehicles. | Using 'hurry up it' instead of 'hurry it up'., Failing to use 'can we' when making a polite request., Using inappropriately in formal situations. | Incorrectly using 'rush' as a noun without an article when needed., Using 'rushed' as a present tense instead of the correct form., Confusing 'rush' with 'push' in the context of moving quickly. |
| Usage notes | Used in both formal and casual contexts, often related to speed, processes, or improvements. Not typically used in very informal conversation. | Used in casual conversation. Not suitable for formal contexts, such as business meetings or polite requests. | Commonly used when talking about a need to hurry, like catching a bus. Avoid in very formal situations. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Accelerate vs Hey can we hurry it up vs Rush
What's the difference between Accelerate, Hey can we hurry it up, and Rush?
Accelerate: To go faster or make something go faster. Hey can we hurry it up: To ask if something can be done faster. Rush: to move quickly or hurry
Which is more common: Accelerate, Hey can we hurry it up, and Rush?
Rush is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Accelerate, Hey can we hurry it up, and Rush?
Accelerate is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Accelerate: The company aims to accelerate the development of new technologies. Hey can we hurry it up: Hey, can we hurry it up? The show starts in ten minutes. Rush: I had to rush to the station to catch my train before it left.
Can I use Accelerate, Hey can we hurry it up, and Rush interchangeably?
Not always. Accelerate, Hey can we hurry it up, and Rush are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.