on the way

If someone or something is coming, they will arrive or happen soon.

• Help is on the way.
• They have another baby on the way.
• A big storm was on the way.

How to use it: be on the way (An ambulance is on the way.)

Similar words: coming, approaching

Common phrases: help on the way, baby on the way

If you are travelling towards a place, you have started your journey there.

• We are on the way home.
• He was on his way to the station.
• Are you on the way to the office?

How to use it: be on the way to somewhere (We are on the way to the airport.); be on someone's way to somewhere (She is on her way to school.)

Similar words: heading to, travelling to, bound for

Common phrases: on the way home, on the way there, on the way back

During the time you spend travelling from one place to another.

• I bought milk on the way home.
• We talked about school on the way there.
• Did you see any deer on the way?

How to use it: do something on the way to somewhere (We bought lunch on the way to the park.)

Similar words: during the journey, en route

Common phrases: on the way home, on the way back

A place along your planned route that you can reach without travelling in another direction.

• The shop is on the way home.
• Her house was on our way to the beach.
• Is the bank on the way to your office?

How to use it: be on the way to somewhere (The supermarket is on the way to the station.)

Similar words: along the route

Common phrases: on the way home, on the way back