Are you confused about whether to use hurdle or hurtle in your writing? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many people mix up these two words and end up using the wrong one. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between hurdle and hurtle, and help you understand when to use each one.
Let’s answer the question that’s on your mind: which of these two words is the proper one to use? The answer is simple: both words are correct, but they have different meanings and uses.
Hurdle is a noun that refers to an obstacle that you have to jump over, such as a fence or a hurdle in a race. It can also be used as a verb to mean overcoming an obstacle or difficulty.
Hurtle, on the other hand, is a verb that means to move very fast and with great force, often in an uncontrolled way. It’s usually used to describe something that’s moving through the air, such as a car hurtling down a hill or a meteor hurtling towards Earth.
Now that we’ve cleared up the confusion between these two words, let’s dive deeper into their meanings and uses.
Define Hurdle
A hurdle is an obstacle or barrier that is placed in one’s path, either physically or metaphorically. It can be a physical object, such as a fence or a wall, or it can be a mental or emotional challenge, such as a difficult task or a personal setback. In athletic competitions, a hurdle is a barrier that athletes must jump over as they race towards the finish line. Hurdles can be used to test an individual’s physical abilities, mental toughness, and problem-solving skills.
Define Hurtle
Hurtle is a verb that means to move or travel at a high speed, often with great force or momentum. It can be used to describe the movement of objects, such as a meteor hurtling through space, or the movement of individuals, such as a race car hurtling down a track. The term hurtle implies a sense of speed and urgency, as well as a lack of control or direction. It can also be used metaphorically to describe the rapid pace of change or the feeling of being overwhelmed by a situation.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
In the English language, there are many words that sound similar but have different meanings. Two such words are hurdle and hurtle. Although they may sound alike, they have distinct definitions and should be used appropriately in a sentence. Here’s how to use these words correctly.
How To Use Hurdle In A Sentence
The word hurdle is a noun that refers to a barrier or obstacle that one must overcome. It can also be used as a verb to describe the act of overcoming a barrier or obstacle. Here are a few examples:
- He cleared the hurdle with ease.
- The athlete hurdled over the fence.
- The company faced many hurdles in its early stages.
As you can see, hurdle is used to describe both physical and metaphorical obstacles. It is a versatile word that can be used in a variety of contexts.
How To Use Hurtle In A Sentence
The word hurtle is a verb that means to move at a great speed, often in a chaotic or uncontrolled manner. It can also be used to describe the act of throwing something with great force. Here are a few examples:
- The car hurtled down the highway at breakneck speed.
- The meteor hurtled towards Earth at an alarming rate.
- The pitcher hurtled the ball towards home plate.
As you can see, hurtle is used to describe fast and often dangerous movements. It is not typically used to describe obstacles or barriers like hurdle.
More Examples Of Hurdle & Hurtle Used In Sentences
Understanding the correct usage of hurdle and hurtle is important to avoid confusion and grammatical errors. Here are some examples of how these words can be used in sentences:
Examples Of Using Hurdle In A Sentence
- The athlete cleared the hurdle with ease.
- She faced many hurdles on her way to success.
- The company had to overcome several financial hurdles to stay afloat.
- Learning a new language can be a major hurdle for some people.
- The team had to jump over several hurdles to win the championship.
- One of the biggest hurdles in starting a business is securing funding.
- The project hit a major hurdle when the lead developer quit.
- Overcoming personal hurdles can be a rewarding experience.
- He was able to clear the mental hurdle that was holding him back.
- The government must address the hurdles facing the education system.
Examples Of Using Hurtle In A Sentence
- The car hurtled down the highway at top speed.
- During the storm, debris hurtled through the air.
- The rollercoaster hurtled down the tracks, thrilling its passengers.
- The asteroid hurtled towards the Earth, causing widespread panic.
- The plane hurtled towards the ground before the pilot was able to regain control.
- The boulder hurtled down the mountain, narrowly missing the hikers below.
- The motorcycle hurtled past the other vehicles on the road.
- The baseball hurtled towards the batter, who swung and missed.
- The spaceship hurtled through space, on its way to explore a new planet.
- The runaway train hurtled towards the town, threatening to cause a disaster.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to the English language, there are many words that sound similar but have vastly different meanings. One common mistake that people make is confusing the words “hurdle” and “hurtle.” While they may sound alike, they have very different definitions and should not be used interchangeably.
Highlighting Common Mistakes
The word “hurdle” refers to an obstacle or barrier that one must overcome. It can be used both literally and figuratively. For example, “She cleared the hurdle with ease” or “The company faced many hurdles during the merger.”
On the other hand, “hurtle” means to move or travel at a high speed, often in a reckless or uncontrolled manner. For instance, “The car was hurtling down the highway” or “The rollercoaster hurtled through the loop.”
One common mistake is using “hurdle” when “hurtle” is the correct word to use. For example, saying “The car hurdled down the highway” would be incorrect. Another mistake is using “hurtle” when “hurdle” is the appropriate word. For instance, saying “She hurtled over the obstacle” would be incorrect.
Tips For Avoiding Mistakes
To avoid making these mistakes, it is important to understand the difference between the two words. One helpful tip is to remember that “hurdle” refers to an obstacle that must be overcome, while “hurtle” refers to movement at a high speed. Additionally, it can be useful to double-check the definition of the word before using it in your writing or speech.
Here is a table summarizing the differences between “hurdle” and “hurtle”:
| “Hurdle” | “Hurtle” |
|---|---|
| Refers to an obstacle or barrier | Refers to movement at a high speed |
| Can be used both literally and figuratively | Often used to describe reckless or uncontrolled movement |
Context Matters
Choosing between hurdle and hurtle can be a tricky task, as both words have similar spellings and pronunciations. However, the context in which they are used plays a crucial role in determining which one to use.
Examples Of Different Contexts:
- Athletics: In the context of athletics, a hurdle refers to a physical barrier that athletes jump over while running. On the other hand, hurtle is used to describe the movement of an athlete running at a high speed. For example, “The athlete hurtled towards the finish line.”
- Driving: In the context of driving, a hurdle can refer to a problem or obstacle that needs to be overcome, such as traffic congestion. Hurtle, in this context, can be used to describe driving at a high speed, for example, “The car hurtled down the highway.”
- Space: In the context of space, hurtle is commonly used to describe the movement of objects through space at high speeds, such as asteroids hurtling towards Earth. Hurdle, in this context, can refer to the challenges that need to be overcome in space exploration, for example, “NASA faces many hurdles in their mission to explore Mars.”
As seen in the examples above, the choice between hurdle and hurtle depends on the context in which they are used. Understanding the context is crucial in choosing the right word to convey the intended meaning and avoid confusion.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the rules for using hurdle and hurtle are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions where they may not apply. Here are some instances where the rules may not hold:
1. Sports Terminology
In sports, the term “hurdle” is often used to refer to an obstacle that athletes jump over during a race. However, the term “hurtle” is not used in this context. Instead, “hurtle” is used to describe the speed at which an athlete is running or the force with which they are moving.
For example, you might say that a sprinter is hurtling down the track, but you would not say that they are hurdling down the track. Similarly, you might say that a football player hurtles through the line of scrimmage, but you would not say that they hurdle through it.
2. Regional Differences
While the rules for using hurdle and hurtle are generally the same across all English-speaking countries, there may be some regional differences in usage. For example, in some parts of the United States, the term “hurtle” may be used more frequently than “hurdle.”
However, these regional differences are relatively minor and should not cause confusion for most speakers of English.
3. Figurative Language
When used in figurative language, the rules for using hurdle and hurtle may be more flexible. For example, you might say that someone “hurdled over” an obstacle in their life, even if they did not actually jump over anything.
Similarly, you might say that someone “hurtles” through life, even if they are not actually moving at a high speed. In these cases, the choice between hurdle and hurtle may depend more on the desired tone or imagery of the language rather than strict adherence to the rules.
Practice Exercises
Now that we have a better understanding of the difference between hurdle and hurtle, it’s time to put that knowledge into practice. Below are some exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these two words in sentences.
Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank
Choose the correct word (hurdle or hurtle) to fill in the blank in each sentence below:
- The track athlete had to __________ over the obstacle to win the race.
- The car was __________ down the highway at an alarming speed.
- She had to __________ over the fence to get into the park.
- The boulder __________ down the mountain, causing a landslide.
- He had to __________ several obstacles to reach his goal.
Answers:
- hurdle
- hurtling
- hurdle
- hurtled
- hurdle
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct word (hurdle or hurtle) to complete each sentence below:
- The runner had to __________ over the finish line to win the race.
- a) hurdle
- b) hurtle
- a) hurdle
- b) hurtles
- a) hurdle
- b) hurtle
- a) hurdle
- b) hurtled
- a) hurdle
- b) hurtle
Answers:
- a) hurdle
- b) hurtles
- a) hurdle
- b) hurtled
- a) hurdle
By practicing with these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of hurdle and hurtle in your writing and speech. Remember to pay attention to the context and meaning of each word to ensure that you are using the correct one in each situation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the difference between “hurdle” and “hurtle” is crucial for effective communication. Confusing the two can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations in written and spoken language.
Here are some key takeaways from this article:
Hurdle
- “Hurdle” is a noun that refers to an obstacle or difficulty that must be overcome.
- “Hurdle” can also be used as a verb, meaning to jump over an obstacle or difficulty.
- Examples: “She cleared the hurdle with ease.” “The team faced many hurdles during the project.”
Hurtle
- “Hurtle” is a verb that means to move at a high speed, often in an uncontrolled way.
- Examples: “The car hurtled down the highway.” “The asteroid hurtled towards Earth.”
It’s important to remember that these two words have distinct meanings and should not be used interchangeably.
As with any aspect of language and grammar, it’s always beneficial to continue learning and improving our understanding. By doing so, we can communicate more effectively and avoid common mistakes.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.