Cool MateCome on then vs Get going vs Hurry up vs Move along
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Come on then
Get going
Hurry up
Move along
| Come on then | Get going | Hurry up | Move along | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kʌm ɒn ðen//🇺🇸 //kʌm ɑn ðɛn// | 🇬🇧 //ɡɛt ˈɡəʊɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ɡɛt ˈɡoʊɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 //ˈhʌri ʌp//🇺🇸 //ˈhɜri ʌp// | 🇬🇧 //muːv əˈlɒŋ//🇺🇸 //muːv əˈlɔːŋ// |
| Meaning | A phrase used to encourage someone to proceed. | to start moving or doing something | Do something faster. | To keep going or proceed. |
| Example | Come on then, let's get started with the meeting. | We should really get going if we want to catch the bus. | You need to hurry up or we will miss the train! | The crowd was asked to move along to avoid blocking the entrance. |
| Register | Informal | Informal | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | Come on then, let's go, Come on then, hurry up, Come on then, show me, Come on then, what's the plan | get going on time, get going now, get going with enthusiasm | hurry up and wait, hurry up before, hurry up to | move along quickly, move along smoothly, move along with progress, move along the path, move along to the next topic |
| Antonyms | - | stop, halt | - | - |
| Common mistakes | Misunderstanding the tone - it's encouraging, not commanding., Using in formal situations where it's inappropriate. | Confused with 'go on' meaning to continue, 'Get going' misused in formal situations | Omitting 'up', saying just 'hurry'., 'Hurry up' used in formal writing., Using 'hurry up' without an object or activity. | 'Move along' used incorrectly as a single verb without 'along', Confusing 'move along' with 'move on' which has a different connotation, 'Move along' used in inappropriate formal situations |
| Usage notes | Use in casual conversations to prompt someone to take action. Avoid in formal settings. | Used in casual conversations to encourage someone to start an activity. Not suitable for formal contexts. | Commonly used in casual contexts to prompt someone to act more quickly. Avoid in formal situations. | Use 'move along' to suggest progression or to tell someone to leave. It's neutral and suitable in most contexts, but can be more direct in informal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Come on then vs Get going vs Hurry up vs Move along
What's the difference between Come on then, Get going, Hurry up, and Move along?
Come on then: A phrase used to encourage someone to proceed. Get going: to start moving or doing something Hurry up: Do something faster. Move along: To keep going or proceed.
Which is more formal: Come on then, Get going, Hurry up, and Move along?
Move along is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Come on then: Come on then, let's get started with the meeting. Get going: We should really get going if we want to catch the bus. Hurry up: You need to hurry up or we will miss the train! Move along: The crowd was asked to move along to avoid blocking the entrance.
Can I use Come on then, Get going, Hurry up, and Move along interchangeably?
Not always. Come on then, Get going, Hurry up, and Move along 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.