Common Mistake: Using "Arrive to" in English

Reviewed and edited by

Anwar Kareem 06/10/2025, 16:58

English.me team member

What kind of error is it?

Usage error - incorrect preposition with the verb "arrive".

Why do people make this mistake?

People often confuse English prepositions; since many verbs that describe movement (such as "go" or "travel") can use "to", some assume "arrive" works the same way. Non-native speakers might also translate directly from their own languages, where a similar structure is correct.

What is correct?

With "arrive", the correct preposition is "at" for specific places or "in" for larger locations (like cities or countries), not "to".

Examples of correct usage

I will arrive at the airport at 9 AM.
She arrived in Paris yesterday.
We arrived at the hotel late at night.
The train arrives in London at noon.