come at once

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "come at once" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to urgently request or command someone to come to you immediately. Example: "The house is on fire, please come at once!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After he summoned her by telegram ("WOUNDED. COME AT ONCE"), she took a clerical job at brigade headquarters, in Madrid.

The New Yorker

Just so long as they don't all come at once.

The Economist

It's as though all their Christmases have come at once.

The Times

They called me and asked me to come at once.

The Guardian

This is all his Christmases come at once.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Like Fifth Avenue buses, sometimes they all come at once.

The New York Times - Arts

"Well, everything has sort of come at once.

The Guardian

LIKE London buses, big events in America's Treasury market all seem to come at once.

The Economist

As that question is the pivotal one, we come at once to its consideration.

Cornell University

It was as if all my Christmasses had come at once.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When the writer discovered that C. was near death she telegraphed Paul to come at once.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "come at once", ensure the context justifies the urgency to avoid sounding melodramatic.

Common error

Avoid using "come at once" in overly formal or polite contexts, as it can sound out of place; opt for phrases like "please come immediately" to strike a better balance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come at once" functions as an imperative, directly instructing or commanding someone to proceed without delay. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a request for immediate action. The examples show it being used in urgent situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "come at once" functions as an imperative conveying a strong sense of urgency and a direct command for immediate action. Ludwig confirms its correct usage as an urgent request. While grammatically sound, its formality and demanding tone make it best suited for critical situations as highlighted in the examples found across authoritative sources such as the New Yorker and the Guardian. Alternative phrases like "please come immediately" can provide a slightly less abrupt tone if needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Come immediately

Replaces "at once" with "immediately", keeping the imperative tone but changing the adverb for emphasis.

Please come right away

Adds politeness while still conveying the need for promptness.

Get over here ASAP

Uses an abbreviation (ASAP - as soon as possible) to convey extreme urgency in a less formal style.

Be here directly

A more concise way to state that someone should come without deviation or delay.

Hurry here now

Emphasizes speed and urgency with a more informal tone.

You're needed urgently

Highlights the critical need for the person's presence.

We need you here now

Indicates that the person is needed urgently, focusing on the speaker's need.

Report here without delay

A command emphasizing the lack of permissible waiting time, suited for formal or professional contexts.

Come without further ado

Suggests that any delays are unacceptable and immediate arrival is required.

Your presence is urgently requested

A formal and indirect way of asking someone to come quickly.

FAQs

How do I use "come at once" in a sentence?

Use "come at once" as an imperative to urgently request someone's immediate presence. For example, "There's been an accident, please "come at once"!".

What's a less abrupt way to say "come at once"?

Alternatives include "please come immediately" or "please come right away", which maintain urgency with added politeness.

In what situations is "come at once" appropriate?

"Come at once" is best suited for situations where immediate action is critical. It's often used in emergencies or urgent requests that demand prompt attention.

Is "come at once" considered formal or informal?

The phrase "come at once" leans towards being somewhat formal and carries a strong sense of urgency. It's more common in serious or critical situations rather than casual conversation.