Hinder vs Obstruct: Meaning And Differences

Are you confused about when to use hinder and obstruct? You’re not alone. These two words are often used interchangeably, but they actually have distinct meanings. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between hinder and obstruct, and give you some tips on when to use each one.

Let’s define the two words. Hinder means to make it difficult for someone or something to do something. Obstruct means to block or get in the way of something. While these definitions may seem similar, there is a subtle difference between them.

When you hinder someone or something, you are making it harder for them to succeed, but you are not necessarily stopping them altogether. For example, if you are playing a game of basketball and you put your hand in front of your opponent’s face, you are hindering their ability to see the basket and make a shot. However, they can still try to shoot around your hand.

On the other hand, when you obstruct someone or something, you are completely blocking their path or progress. Going back to the basketball example, if you stand directly in front of your opponent and refuse to move, you are obstructing their ability to get to the basket and make a shot.

So, which word should you use? It depends on the situation. If you want to convey that something is simply making it harder for someone to do something, use hinder. If you want to convey that something is completely blocking someone’s path or progress, use obstruct.

In the rest of this article, we’ll explore some common situations where you might use hinder or obstruct, and give you some tips on how to choose the right word for the job.

Define Hinder

Hinder is a verb that refers to the act of creating an obstacle or difficulty that prevents something from happening or progressing smoothly. It can also mean to slow down or impede progress or development.

For example, “The heavy rain hindered the progress of the construction workers.”

Synonyms for hinder include impede, hamper, obstruct, delay, and slow down.

Define Obstruct

Obstruct is a verb that refers to the act of blocking or closing off a passage or pathway, making it difficult or impossible to pass through. It can also mean to impede or hinder progress or development.

For example, “The fallen tree obstructed the road, causing a traffic jam.”

Synonyms for obstruct include block, impede, hinder, barricade, and clog.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Choosing the right word to use in a sentence can be a daunting task, especially when two words seem to have similar meanings. Hinder and obstruct are two such words that can be easily confused. In this section, we will discuss how to properly use these words in a sentence.

How To Use Hinder In A Sentence

The word hinder means to create difficulty or to slow down the progress of something. It is often used to describe a situation where something is preventing someone or something from achieving a goal. Here are a few examples of how to use hinder in a sentence:

• The bad weather hindered our progress on the road trip.
• His lack of experience hindered his chances of getting the job.
• The construction work is hindering the flow of traffic.

As you can see from these examples, hinder is used to describe a situation where something is making it difficult to achieve a goal. It can be used to describe physical obstacles, as well as intangible ones like lack of experience.

How To Use Obstruct In A Sentence

The word obstruct means to block or to impede the progress of something. It is often used to describe a situation where something is preventing someone or something from moving forward. Here are a few examples of how to use obstruct in a sentence:

• The tree obstructed our view of the sunset.
• The debris obstructed the entrance to the building.
• The politician was accused of obstructing justice.

As you can see from these examples, obstruct is used to describe a situation where something is physically blocking the way. It can also be used to describe a situation where someone is intentionally preventing something from happening, like in the case of obstructing justice.

Overall, it is important to choose the right word when describing a situation. While hinder and obstruct may seem similar, they are used to describe slightly different situations. By using these words correctly, you can ensure that your writing is clear and concise.

More Examples Of Hinder & Obstruct Used In Sentences

In order to better understand the differences between the two words, it’s important to see them used in context. Here are some examples of how to use hinder and obstruct in a sentence:

Examples Of Using Hinder In A Sentence

• The bad weather will hinder our progress on the construction project.
• His lack of experience will hinder his chances of getting the job.
• She was hindered by a broken ankle and couldn’t participate in the race.
• The new regulations will hinder the company’s ability to expand.
• Don’t let fear hinder you from pursuing your dreams.
• Their disagreement hindered progress on the project.
• His poor vision hindered his ability to drive at night.
• The language barrier hindered communication between the two groups.
• The heavy traffic hindered our arrival time.
• The lack of funding will hinder the research project.

Examples Of Using Obstruct In A Sentence

• The fallen tree obstructed the road and caused a traffic jam.
• His ego often obstructs his ability to work well with others.
• The construction site was obstructing the sidewalk, forcing pedestrians to walk in the street.
• The large pillar obstructed the view of the stage for some audience members.
• The debris obstructed the river, causing flooding downstream.
• The politician was accused of obstructing justice during the investigation.
• The sign was obstructed by a tree branch, making it difficult to read.
• The suspect was caught trying to obstruct the police investigation.
• The security checkpoint obstructed the entrance to the building.
• The new building obstructed the view of the mountains from some nearby homes.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using words like “hinder” and “obstruct,” it’s important to understand the subtle differences between them. Unfortunately, many people use these words interchangeably, which can lead to confusion and miscommunication. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using “Hinder” When You Mean “Obstruct”

One of the most common mistakes people make is using “hinder” when they really mean “obstruct.” While these words are similar in meaning, there is a subtle difference. “Hinder” means to make something difficult or slow down its progress, while “obstruct” means to block or prevent something from happening altogether.

For example, if you say “The rain hindered our progress,” you’re saying that the rain made it difficult for you to make progress, but you were still able to move forward. However, if you say “The fallen tree obstructed the road,” you’re saying that the tree completely blocked the road and prevented you from moving forward.

Using “Obstruct” When You Mean “Hinder”

The opposite mistake is also common: using “obstruct” when you really mean “hinder.” This can happen when people use “obstruct” as a catch-all term for anything that gets in the way of progress. However, this can lead to confusion, especially in situations where it’s important to be clear and specific.

For example, if you say “The traffic obstructed our journey,” you’re implying that the traffic completely blocked your journey and prevented you from reaching your destination. However, if you really mean that the traffic just slowed you down, you should use “hinder” instead.

Tips For Avoiding These Mistakes

To avoid these common mistakes, it’s important to take a moment to think about the specific meaning you want to convey. If you’re not sure which word to use, consult a dictionary or thesaurus to make sure you’re using the right term.

It’s also a good idea to read your writing out loud to make sure it sounds right. If something doesn’t sound quite right, it’s worth taking a second look to see if you’re using the right word.

Finally, if you’re still not sure which word to use, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and choose a different word altogether. There are plenty of synonyms for “hinder” and “obstruct” that you can use instead, such as “impede,” “hamper,” or “block.”

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between the words hinder and obstruct, context plays a crucial role in determining which one to use. While both words share similar meanings, they have subtle differences that can affect the overall tone and clarity of a sentence.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between hinder and obstruct might change:

Context	Example Sentence	Preferred Word Choice
Legal	The defendant’s actions were found to hinder/obstruct the investigation.	Obstruct
Physical	The fallen tree hindered/obstructed our path.	Obstructed
Emotional	Her fear hindered/obstructed her ability to make a decision.	Hindered

In a legal context, the word obstruct is typically preferred as it implies a deliberate and intentional act of impeding an investigation or legal process. On the other hand, hinder is often used in physical contexts to describe something that is slowing down or impeding progress. In emotional contexts, hinder is often the preferred word choice as it describes a more passive or unintentional obstacle.

Overall, it’s important to consider the context in which hinder and obstruct are being used in order to choose the most appropriate word and convey the intended meaning clearly and effectively.

Exceptions To The Rules

While there are rules for using the words hinder and obstruct, there are also exceptions where these rules might not apply. Here are some of the exceptions:

1. Colloquial Usage

Colloquial usage of the words hinder and obstruct may not always follow the standard rules. In informal settings, people may use these words interchangeably without adhering to their strict definitions. For example:

• “The traffic is really obstructing my way” – In this case, the speaker is using ‘obstructing’ to mean ‘hindering’.
• “I can’t come to the party, work is hindering me” – Here, the speaker is using ‘hindering’ to mean ‘preventing’.

2. Legal Terminology

In legal terminology, the words hinder and obstruct may have different meanings than their standard definitions. For example:

Term	Definition
Hindering prosecution	Intentionally impeding or obstructing a criminal investigation or prosecution
Obstruction of justice	Intentionally interfering with the administration of justice

3. Contextual Usage

The context in which the words are used can also affect their meanings. In certain situations, hinder and obstruct may be used to convey different nuances. For example:

• “The new regulations will hinder our ability to expand” – In this case, ‘hinder’ implies a slowing down or limitation of progress.
• “The protesters obstructed the entrance to the building” – Here, ‘obstructed’ implies a physical barrier preventing access.

It’s important to note that while exceptions to the rules exist, it’s still best to use hinder and obstruct according to their standard definitions in formal writing and professional settings.

Practice Exercises

To help readers improve their understanding and use of hinder and obstruct in sentences, it is important to offer practice exercises that will enable them to apply their knowledge. Below are some exercises that readers can use to practice their usage of these two words:

Exercise 1

Choose the correct word to complete each sentence:

Sentence	Word Choices
The construction work on the highway will __________ traffic for several months.	hinder / obstruct
The tree branches __________ the path, making it difficult for us to walk.	obstruct / hinder
The heavy rain __________ our plans to have a picnic in the park.	hindered / obstructed
The new security measures will __________ the flow of people entering the building.	obstruct / hinder

Answer Key:

• The construction work on the highway will hinder traffic for several months.
• The tree branches obstructed the path, making it difficult for us to walk.
• The heavy rain hindered our plans to have a picnic in the park.
• The new security measures will obstruct the flow of people entering the building.

Exercise 2

Write a sentence using hinder and another sentence using obstruct:

• Hinder: The bad weather hindered our progress on the construction project.
• Obstruct: The fallen tree obstructed the road, causing a traffic jam.

Exercise 3

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of hinder or obstruct:

1. The construction work on the bridge has __________ our commute to work.
2. The broken-down car __________ the flow of traffic on the highway.
3. The language barrier __________ communication between the two groups.
4. The high wall __________ our view of the ocean.

Answer Key:

• The construction work on the bridge has hindered our commute to work.
• The broken-down car obstructed the flow of traffic on the highway.
• The language barrier hindered communication between the two groups.
• The high wall obstructed our view of the ocean.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the difference between hinder and obstruct is crucial for effective communication. While both words mean to impede progress, hinder refers to slowing down or making something difficult, while obstruct refers to completely blocking or preventing something from happening.

It is important to use these words correctly to avoid confusion and ensure clarity in written and verbal communication. Remember that hinder is often used in a more general sense, while obstruct is reserved for situations where there is a complete blockage or barrier.

As you continue to learn about grammar and language use, be sure to pay attention to the nuances of words like hinder and obstruct. Improving your language skills will not only enhance your writing and speaking abilities, but also improve your overall communication and understanding of the world around you.