to be in time vs to be on time

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'To be in time' is used when referring to being at a certain place or event before a particular moment or deadline. 'To be on time' is used to indicate punctuality, being at a place or event at the scheduled or expected time.

Last updated: April 01, 2024 • 1620 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to being at a certain place or event before a particular moment or deadline.

"to be in time"

This phrase is used to indicate that someone arrives at a specific place or event before a particular moment or deadline. It implies being present in advance.

Examples:

I need to leave early to be in time for the meeting.
She rushed to the airport to be in time for her flight.
He arrived just in time for the concert.
Make sure you are in time for the bus departure.
The deadline is approaching; we need to be in time with our project submission.

Show examples from the web [+]

You have to be in time to go to farmer Coene.
In order for the review to be in time, the Commission should earlier be aware of the state of implementation.
However went: took children from the street, and the German fled, and on war it was necessary to be in time.
We will go for dinner about 7 PM to be in time at traditional Puppet show start at 8:30 PM if you would like to watch.
Stepping up the rythm of the game will not be the best solution, but we will necessarily seek adaptations in these situational contexts, we have to be IN time and not OF the time.
You need to be in time.
Be sure to be in time.
My mom prepares me some coffee and then I go out from my home to be in time for catching the bus.
She may need to be in times to come.
Now, I happened to be in Times Square that night doing a comedy show.
I was hoping to be out in time for Memorial Day.
Want to be there in time for this barbecue.
You figured out how to be a in time.
Subsidies need to be limited in time and gradually phased out.
I find statistics to be comforting in times of stress and uncertainty.
This Regulation should enter into force immediately in order to enable licence applications to be lodged in time.
To enable licence applications to be lodged in time, this Regulation should enter into force immediately.
The font has to be complete in time for the... occasion.
This makes it more difficult for elderly disabled people to count on the traditional support of their families which they used to be able to in times gone by.
You need to be back in time for the World Cup Final.

Alternatives:

to arrive in time
to reach in time
to get there in time
to make it in time
to show up in time

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate punctuality, being at a place or event at the scheduled or expected time.

"to be on time"

This phrase is used to express that someone arrives at a specific place or event at the scheduled or expected time. It emphasizes being punctual.

Examples:

Please make sure you are on time for the meeting.
The train is usually on time.
She is never late; she always arrives on time.
Being on time shows respect for others' time.
He prides himself on always being on time.

Show examples from the web [+]

He said to be on time, Harper.
However, make sure to be on time...
Try to be on time for a change.
Make sure to be on time to register and catch the password.
Do some final prep work before unlocking the door, or encourage participants to be on time by locking the door after starting a meeting.
You know that I always try to be on time.
Olof just told me to be on time.
Sorry, Mr. Lynch, tomorrow I'll try to be on time.
And I know. I don't have to tell you to be on time 'cause you'll be early.
Because of that I arrived at what I thought to be on time, so I genuinely apologise to all Members of Parliament for that misunderstanding.
Remember to be on time for work tomorrow.
Nobody would expect you to be on time in this weather.
Got to be on time for that meeting.
He said to be on time, Harper.
Some of us like to be on time, sorry.
They told me that we had to be on time.
Try to be on time from now on.
No, we have to be on time.
Mr. Wyatt will expect you to be on time.
It was probably me begging for her to be on time.

Alternatives:

to arrive on time
to get there on time
to reach on time
to make it on time
to show up on time

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to be in time vs to be on time

"to be in time"

"to be on time"

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