- Do you often find yourself saying “go fast” because you aren’t sure how to use the word “hurry” correctly?
- Are you confused about when to use “hurry up” versus “in a hurry”?
- Do you want to sound more like a native speaker when discussing deadlines, schedules, or busy mornings?
Mastering hurry collocations is a vital step toward English fluency. In English, we rarely use words in isolation; instead, we use specific word combinations that sound “right” to a native ear. By learning these common pairings, you will reduce your mental translation time, improve your rhythmic accuracy, and sound more confident in both professional and social settings.
Common Collocations with HURRY as a Verb
As a verb, “hurry” describes the action of moving or acting with speed. It is frequently paired with adverbs and prepositions to indicate direction or intensity.
Phrasal Verbs and Movement
- Hurry up: Used to tell someone to move faster or to describe the act of increasing speed.
Example: “We need to hurry up or we will miss the beginning of the movie.” - Hurry back: Used when someone leaves, and you want them to return quickly.
Example: “The coffee is getting cold, so please hurry back!” - Hurry home: To travel to one’s residence quickly, often due to weather or news.
Example: “The storm clouds looked threatening, so we decided to hurry home.”
Hurry with Prepositions
- Hurry through (something): To complete a task too quickly, often resulting in mistakes.
Example: “Don’t hurry through your exam; check your answers carefully.” - Hurry to (a place): To move toward a destination with urgency.
Example: “She had to hurry to the station to catch the last train.” - Hurry into (something): To make a decision or start an action too fast without thinking.
Example: “You shouldn’t hurry into a marriage until you are truly ready.”
Essential Collocations using HURRY as a Noun
As a noun, “hurry” describes a state of urgency or a need for speed. It is almost always preceded by specific prepositions like “in.”
The “In a Hurry” Family
- In a hurry: The most common way to say you are rushing.
Example: “I can’t talk right now; I’m in a hurry.” - In a great hurry / In a big hurry: Used to emphasize extreme urgency.
Example: “He left the office in a great hurry and forgot his briefcase.” - In no hurry: Used when you have plenty of time and feel relaxed.
Example: “It’s a beautiful day, and I’m in no hurry to go back inside.”
Idiomatic Noun Phrases
- What’s the hurry?: A common question used to ask why someone is rushing.
Example: “Slow down! What’s the hurry? The meeting doesn’t start for an hour.” - There is no hurry: A polite way to tell someone they have plenty of time.
Example: “Take your time with the report; there is no hurry to finish it today.”
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Hurry up | Verb | Move or act faster. |
| In a hurry | Noun | Needing to move fast / rushing. |
| Hurry through | Verb | Doing something too quickly/carelessly. |
| No hurry | Noun | No need for speed; plenty of time. |
| Hurry back | Verb | Return quickly. |
| What’s the hurry? | Noun (Phrase) | Why are you rushing? |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| I am in hurry. | I am in a hurry. |
| Hurry you! | Hurry up! |
| Do it with hurry. | Do it in a hurry. |
| There is not hurry. | There is no hurry. |
“I received your message about the deadline. I’m currently in a hurry to finish the presentation for the board, so I might hurry through the initial draft. Please let the team know that there is no hurry for them to send the feedback until tomorrow. I’ll hurry back to my desk after the lunch meeting to finalize everything. What’s the hurry with the final printouts anyway? We have until Friday!”
Frequently Asked Questions about Hurry Collocations
What is the difference between “hurry” and “rush”?
While often interchangeable, “hurry” is a general term for moving fast. “Rush” often implies a greater sense of intensity, chaos, or pressure. For example, “rush hour” is standard, while “hurry hour” is never used.
Is “Hurry up!” considered rude?
It can be. In a professional setting or with strangers, “Hurry up!” can sound demanding. It is better to use “We’re running a bit late” or “Could we speed things up?” among colleagues. With friends and family, “Hurry up” is very common.
Why do we say “in a hurry” but not “in a speed”?
This is a matter of collocation and idiom. English uses the preposition “in” to describe states of being. “Hurry” is a state of mind and action, whereas “speed” is a measurable physical rate. We say “at high speed” but “in a hurry.”
Can I say “I hurried myself”?
This is grammatically possible but very unnatural. Native speakers simply say “I hurried” or “I was in a hurry.” The reflexive pronoun “myself” is rarely used with this verb.
What preposition follows “hurry” when going to a place?
The most common preposition is “to.” For example, “I had to hurry to the airport.” If you are already inside a building, you might “hurry into” a specific room.
The explanation of 'rhythmic accuracy' is fascinating. It's something native speakers do unconsciously. Thanks for highlighting that!
You're most welcome, Isabelle! We're glad you found that insight valuable. 'Rhythmic accuracy' is indeed often subconscious for native speakers, but for learners, actively listening for and mimicking these natural patterns can dramatically improve fluency and comprehension. It's a great sign of an advanced learner to pick up on such nuances!
So, if someone asks me to 'hurry up,' it means they want me to *act* faster, but if I say 'I'm in a hurry,' it means I *am* fast/busy?
You've got it exactly, Lee! 'Hurry up' is a direct command or request for action – 'move faster!' 'I'm in a hurry' describes your current state or situation – 'I need to go fast' or 'I have limited time.' This distinction is key to sounding natural. Great understanding!
Sometimes I hear 'get a hurry on.' Is that too informal or slangy?
That's a perceptive question, Manuel! 'Get a hurry on' (or 'get a move on') is indeed an informal, somewhat colloquial phrase meaning 'hurry up.' It's not necessarily slang, but it definitely belongs in casual conversation rather than formal settings. It's good to recognize it, but 'hurry up' is generally more versatile and standard.
I appreciate the practical examples. 'Hurry back' is something I can immediately use with my children!
Fantastic, Aisha! Learning phrases that you can integrate into your daily life, especially with family, is a wonderful way to reinforce new vocabulary and make it stick. We're delighted you found a practical application!
I work in a multinational company, and speed is always discussed. This will help me articulate better when I need to *hurry up* on a task!
That's excellent to hear, Rajesh! Clear and natural communication in a professional environment is crucial. Mastering these collocations will certainly help you express urgency and manage tasks more effectively. Best of luck!
This article helps me with differentiating verbs and nouns. 'Hurry' as a verb, 'in a hurry' as a state/adverbial phrase. Very clear!
Precisely, Olga! You've nailed the grammatical distinctions, which is a significant step in mastering these collocations. Understanding the function of each part helps immensely with correct usage. Keep up the great work!
Excellent breakdown! I'll be recommending this to my pre-intermediate class. The emphasis on 'sound right' is spot on.
Thank you, David! It's wonderful to know that teachers like yourself find our content valuable for your students. We agree completely; training the ear to recognize what 'sounds right' is an essential skill for all learners.
Before this, I would just say 'I need to go fast.' This is so much better! What about 'don't hurry'? Is that common or should I say 'take your time'?
Fantastic progress, Maria! 'I need to go fast' is understandable, but 'I'm in a hurry' or 'I need to hurry' definitely sounds more natural. Regarding 'don't hurry,' while grammatically correct, it's far less common than 'take your time,' which is the idiomatic and most natural way to tell someone not to rush. So, 'take your time' is definitely the preferred phrase!
I'm trying to improve my spoken English, and collocations are key. This helps a lot with sounding less robotic. Thank you!
You've hit on a crucial point, Kenji! Collocations are truly the secret sauce for sounding natural and fluent, moving beyond direct translation. We're thrilled this article is helping you sound more confident and less 'robotic' – that's our goal!
I often confuse 'hurry' with 'rush.' Are they interchangeable in most contexts? For example, 'I'm rushing' vs 'I'm in a hurry.'
That's a very common point of confusion, Sophie! While 'hurry' and 'rush' are very similar and often interchangeable, there can be subtle differences. 'Rush' often implies a more frantic, possibly disorganized speed, or a sudden, impulsive action ('a rush of blood to the head'). 'Hurry' usually implies moving quickly to meet a deadline or avoid being late. So, 'I'm rushing' and 'I'm in a hurry' often convey the same meaning of needing to move quickly, but 'rush' can sometimes carry an extra connotation of less control or more intensity. For general purposes, you can often use them interchangeably!