Come on vs Hurry up vs Let's go

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Come on

InformalTop 1,000 (very common)

Hurry up

InformalTop 2,000 (common)

Let's go

Top 1,000 (very common)
Most formal: Let's go
 Come onHurry upLet's go
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //kʌm ɒn//🇺🇸 //kʌm ɑn//🇬🇧 //ˈhʌri ʌp//🇺🇸 //ˈhɜri ʌp//🇬🇧 //lɛts ɡəʊ//🇺🇸 //lɛts ɡoʊ//
MeaningA phrase used to encourage someone or show disbelief.Do something faster.A way to suggest leaving or starting an activity together.
ExampleCome on, we don't have all day!You need to hurry up or we will miss the train!Let's go to the park this afternoon.
RegisterInformalInformalNeutral
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Top 2,000 (common)Top 1,000 (very common)
Collocationscome on over, come on in, come on guyshurry up and wait, hurry up before, hurry up tolet's go out, let's go home, let's go eat
Antonymsgo away, leave, stop, give up--
Common mistakesUsing in formal settings where a more polite phrase is required., Confusing with 'come along', which has a different meaning., Using it without context, making it unclear.Omitting 'up', saying just 'hurry'., 'Hurry up' used in formal writing., Using 'hurry up' without an object or activity.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 notesUse 'come on' to motivate someone or express frustration. It's informal and may be inappropriate in formal situations.Commonly used in casual contexts to prompt someone to act more quickly. Avoid in formal situations.Commonly used for invitations or suggestions. Suitable in casual conversations among friends, but less formal in business settings.

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Come on
Hurry up
Let's go

Frequently asked questions: Come on vs Hurry up vs Let's go

What's the difference between Come on, Hurry up, and Let's go?

Come on: A phrase used to encourage someone or show disbelief. Hurry up: Do something faster. Let's go: A way to suggest leaving or starting an activity together.

Which is more formal: Come on, Hurry up, and Let's go?

Let's go is the most formal of these.

Can you show an example of each?

Come on: Come on, we don't have all day! Hurry up: You need to hurry up or we will miss the train! Let's go: Let's go to the park this afternoon.

Can I use Come on, Hurry up, and Let's go interchangeably?

Not always. Come on, Hurry up, 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.

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