to prevent
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to prevent
To stop someone or something from carrying out a particular action; to represent an obstacle.
Der laute Lärm hinderte mich daran, mich auf meine Arbeit zu konzentrieren.
The loud noise prevented me from concentrating on my work.
The verb 'hindern' (to prevent) requires a fixed structure: you always prevent 'jemanden' (someone, accusative) 'an etwas' (from something, dative). The preposition 'an' is fixed with this verb.
Ein plötzlicher Anruf hinderte ihn an der Weiterfahrt.
A sudden phone call prevented him from continuing the journey.
'Hindern' (to prevent) is very often used with a subordinate clause or an infinitive construction. The structure is then: 'jemanden daran hindern, etwas zu tun' (to prevent someone from doing something).
Die Angst hinderte sie daran, die Wahrheit zu sagen.
Fear prevented her from telling the truth.
'Hindern' (to prevent) belongs to the word family of 'das Hindernis' (obstacle). An obstacle is something that stands in the way and prevents you from doing something. This connection helps you understand the meaning.
Der umgefallene Baum war ein großes Hindernis auf der Straße.
The fallen tree was a major obstacle on the road.
to prevent
'verhindern' and 'hindern' are close in meaning when someone cannot do something. 'verhindern' puts more emphasis on the result: an action or event does not take place. 'hindern' describes the obstacle itself more: someone or something makes an action difficult or impossible. A typical structure is 'jemanden an etwas hindern' (to prevent someone from doing something). The words can easily be confused because 'verhindern' can also mean preventing someone from doing something. A practical guide is the structure: you 'verhindert einen Plan' or 'verhindert einen Unfall' (prevent a plan or an accident), but you 'hindert jemanden an einer Handlung' (prevent someone from doing an action).
Der Lärm hindert mich daran, mich auf die Prüfung zu konzentrieren.
The noise prevents me from concentrating on the exam.
Die Polizei verhindert einen Streit vor dem Bahnhof.
The police prevent an argument in front of the train station.