On-Route-En-Route | Commonly Confused Words
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Master confusing words with ease

On route vs. En route

On route

/ɒn ruːt/
The state of traveling or moving to a destination

Examples:

The shipment is currently on route and will arrive tomorrow.We got lost while on route to the famous historic castle.The catering truck is on route to the event venue.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

En route

/ˌɒn ˈruːt/
On the way to a destination

Examples:

The ambulance was en route to the nearest hospital.Staff are en route to the conference in Chicago.We're currently en route to our vacation destination.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • On route suggests being on the way to a destination, similar to taking a specific road or path.
  • En route is a term borrowed from French that also means on the way but is often used to indicate being in the process of traveling.
  • Think of en route as something that is still happening, mid-journey, while on route may suggest a more direct path or plan.
  • En route might sound a bit more formal or as if borrowed from another language.
  • Remember: en route is widely accepted as the correct term when discussing being on the way in English contexts.
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