Cool MateCome on now vs Let's go
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Come on now
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Let's go
Top 1,000 (very common)
Most formal: Let's goMost common: Let's go
| Come on now | Let's go | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kʌm ɒn naʊ//🇺🇸 //kʌm ɑn naʊ// | 🇬🇧 //lɛts ɡəʊ//🇺🇸 //lɛts ɡoʊ// |
| Meaning | A way to express disbelief or encourage someone to do something. | A way to suggest leaving or starting an activity together. |
| Example | Come on now, we need to leave soon! | Let's go to the park this afternoon. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| Collocations | come on now, don't be silly, come on now, we have to go, come on now, just try | let's go out, let's go home, let's go eat |
| Antonyms | go away, leave, stop | - |
| Common mistakes | 'Come on now' may be misused in serious situations where a softer approach is needed., Learners sometimes use it too literally, missing its expressive tone., Confusion with similar expressions like 'come on'. | Using 'lets' instead of 'let's' as a contraction for 'let us', Confusing the meaning with 'let go', Not using it with a verb following, e.g., 'let's walk' |
| Usage notes | Used in casual conversations, often to prompt someone to take action or to show impatience. Not usually appropriate in formal situations. | Commonly used for invitations or suggestions. Suitable in casual conversations among friends, but less formal in business settings. |
Frequently asked questions: Come on now vs Let's go
What's the difference between Come on now and Let's go?
Come on now: A way to express disbelief or encourage someone to do something. Let's go: A way to suggest leaving or starting an activity together.
Which is more formal: Come on now and Let's go?
Let's go is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Come on now and Let's go?
Let's go is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Come on now: Come on now, we need to leave soon! Let's go: Let's go to the park this afternoon.
Can I use Come on now and Let's go interchangeably?
Not always. Come on now and Let's go 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.