“Arrive” vs. “Arrive At”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “arrive” and “arrive at”

  • Arrive is a standalone verb that means to reach a destination in general, while arrive at is a phrasal verb that emphasizes a specific destination.
  • Arrive can be used in a broader context, such as arriving at a decision or arriving at a solution, while arrive at is primarily used for physical destinations.
  • Arrive is less specific than arrive at and can be followed by a preposition, while arrive at is usually followed by a specific location or time.
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What is the definition of “arrive” and “arrive at”?

Arrive
  • Arrive means to reach a destination after traveling or to reach a particular point in a process.
  • It can also mean to come into existence or to be present in a place.
  • This verb is often used in the context of travel, or in the context of events or changes that happen over time.
Arrive at
  • Arrive at is a phrasal verb that means to reach a specific destination or goal.
  • It is often used with a specific location or time as the object, such as "arrive at the airport" or "arrive at the meeting".
  • This phrasal verb emphasizes the specificity of the destination or goal.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Arrive” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Arrive
853,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. I will arrive home soon.
  2. The bus is scheduled to arrive in ten minutes.
  3. We should arrive early to secure good seats.
Arrive at
224,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. What time will you arrive at the party tonight?
  2. We finally arrived at our destination after a long and tiring journey.
  3. The ambulance arrived at the hospital in less than 10 minutes.
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