Cool MateCome on then vs Get going vs Let's go vs Move along
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Come on then
Get going
Let's go
Move along
| Come on then | Get going | Let's go | Move along | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kʌm ɒn ðen//🇺🇸 //kʌm ɑn ðɛn// | 🇬🇧 //ɡɛt ˈɡəʊɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ɡɛt ˈɡoʊɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 //lɛts ɡəʊ//🇺🇸 //lɛts ɡoʊ// | 🇬🇧 //muːv əˈlɒŋ//🇺🇸 //muːv əˈlɔːŋ// |
| Meaning | A phrase used to encourage someone to proceed. | to start moving or doing something | A way to suggest leaving or starting an activity together. | 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. | Let's go to the park this afternoon. | The crowd was asked to move along to avoid blocking the entrance. |
| Register | Informal | Informal | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very 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 | let's go out, let's go home, let's go eat | 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 | 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' | '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 for invitations or suggestions. Suitable in casual conversations among friends, but less formal in business settings. | 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 Let's go vs Move along
What's the difference between Come on then, Get going, Let's go, and Move along?
Come on then: A phrase used to encourage someone to proceed. Get going: to start moving or doing something Let's go: A way to suggest leaving or starting an activity together. Move along: To keep going or proceed.
Which is more common: Come on then, Get going, Let's go, and Move along?
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. Let's go: Let's go to the park this afternoon. Move along: The crowd was asked to move along to avoid blocking the entrance.
Can I use Come on then, Get going, Let's go, and Move along interchangeably?
Not always. Come on then, Get going, Let's go, 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.