Cool MateCome on then vs Get going vs Hurry up vs Let's go
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Come on then
Get going
Hurry up
Let's go
| Come on then | Get going | Hurry up | Let's go | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kʌm ɒn ðen//🇺🇸 //kʌm ɑn ðɛn// | 🇬🇧 //ɡɛt ˈɡəʊɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ɡɛt ˈɡoʊɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 //ˈhʌri ʌp//🇺🇸 //ˈhɜri ʌp// | 🇬🇧 //lɛts ɡəʊ//🇺🇸 //lɛts ɡoʊ// |
| Meaning | A phrase used to encourage someone to proceed. | to start moving or doing something | Do something faster. | A way to suggest leaving or starting an activity together. |
| 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! | Let's go to the park this afternoon. |
| Register | Informal | Informal | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very 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 | let's go out, let's go home, let's go eat |
| 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. | 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 | 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. | Commonly used for invitations or suggestions. Suitable in casual conversations among friends, but less formal in business settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Come on then vs Get going vs Hurry up vs Let's go
What's the difference between Come on then, Get going, Hurry up, and Let's go?
Come on then: A phrase used to encourage someone to proceed. Get going: to start moving or doing something Hurry up: Do something faster. Let's go: A way to suggest leaving or starting an activity together.
Which is more formal: Come on then, Get going, Hurry up, and Let's go?
Let's go is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Come on then, Get going, Hurry up, and Let's go?
Let's go 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. 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! Let's go: Let's go to the park this afternoon.
Can I use Come on then, Get going, Hurry up, and Let's go interchangeably?
Not always. Come on then, Get going, 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.