Cool MateCome on then vs Hurry up
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Come on then
InformalTop 3,000 (common)
Hurry up
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most common: Hurry up
| Come on then | Hurry up | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kʌm ɒn ðen//🇺🇸 //kʌm ɑn ðɛn// | 🇬🇧 //ˈhʌri ʌp//🇺🇸 //ˈhɜri ʌp// |
| Meaning | A phrase used to encourage someone to proceed. | Do something faster. |
| Example | Come on then, let's get started with the meeting. | You need to hurry up or we will miss the train! |
| Register | Informal | Informal |
| How common | Top 3,000 (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 | hurry up and wait, hurry up before, hurry up to |
| Common mistakes | Misunderstanding the tone - it's encouraging, not commanding., Using in formal situations where it's inappropriate. | Omitting 'up', saying just 'hurry'., 'Hurry up' used in formal writing., Using 'hurry up' without an object or activity. |
| Usage notes | Use in casual conversations to prompt someone to take action. Avoid in formal settings. | Commonly used in casual contexts to prompt someone to act more quickly. Avoid in formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Come on then vs Hurry up
What's the difference between Come on then and Hurry up?
Come on then: A phrase used to encourage someone to proceed. Hurry up: Do something faster.
Which is more common: Come on then and Hurry up?
Hurry up is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Come on then: Come on then, let's get started with the meeting. Hurry up: You need to hurry up or we will miss the train!
Can I use Come on then and Hurry up interchangeably?
Not always. Come on then and Hurry up 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.