Tôt vs. en avance. When is tôt used?

Question

When is tôt used versus En avance?Also pile versus a l’heure ? How do these words differ in their usage?

Cécile Janty-Davies · Accepted Answer

Hi Brenda, 
As Chris says this question comes back on a regular basis, so take a look at the Q&A in the lesson.
Just to add that the expression 'heure pile' means 'on the dot' -
Je suis arrivé/e à midi pile = I arrived at midday on the dot

Chris Wirt · Answer

Look back among the answer and thou shalt find yours. ;)

Anne Davies · Answer

Tôt and tard are such a source of confusion for English speakers, it’d be really useful to have a note about it in this exercise or the late/early precise lesson. Perhaps it helps to ask yourself "early for what?" - if there isn’t a specific answer, it’s "tôt".