You have to finish them in time. vs You have to finish them on time.

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. 'You have to finish them in time' implies completing a task before a deadline or before something happens. 'You have to finish them on time' means completing a task by a specific deadline or at a specific time. The choice between 'in time' and 'on time' depends on whether the emphasis is on completing the task before a deadline or meeting a specific deadline.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 1593 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"You have to finish them in time."

This phrase is used to indicate completing a task before a deadline or before something happens.

Show examples from the web [+]

Why bother with measurements if you won't be able to finish in time.
Start right away to finish in time.
It looks like we'll have to finish this up another time.
I'm never going to finish this in time.
We were unable to finish our homework in time.
Come on, but if you don't stay awake we'll never finish in time.
There's no one to finish this in time.
I told you we'd find a local factory that would finish it in time.
It's getting dark. I won't finish in time.
Or else we won't finish shooting in time.
Looks like Monroe is out to finish the job this time.
Looks like Monroe is out to finish the job this time.
If a end date is set, the project is scheduled backwards from this time. When the project has been calculated, start time shows when the project must start in order to finish in time.
Mr President, Madam Vice-President, the Commission seems to be behaving like an inattentive pupil rushing to finish his homework on time.
I really will finish with you this time.
I'm thinking unemployment if you don't finish those cues on time.
Get someone to help you plough - and you'll finish in no time.
Mr President, at the end of the debate, I will speak again for two minutes to finish my speaking time.
We still have to finish them off.
You do realize I stand on the other side of the door waiting for you to finish knocking three times.

Alternatives:

You have to finish them before the deadline.
You have to finish them before it's too late.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"You have to finish them on time."

This phrase is used to indicate completing a task by a specific deadline or at a specific time.

Show examples from the web [+]

It looks like we'll have to finish this up another time.
Why bother with measurements if you won't be able to finish in time.
Mr President, Madam Vice-President, the Commission seems to be behaving like an inattentive pupil rushing to finish his homework on time.
I'm thinking unemployment if you don't finish those cues on time.
Start right away to finish in time.
Shin Ji Hyun... you are a troublemaker who's going to make me not finish this term on time.
I'm never going to finish this in time.
If we can fix these problems without anyone knowing what we're doing, we will finish on time.
If we stay on this pace, I think we'll finish on time.
Looks like Monroe is out to finish the job this time.
Looks like Monroe is out to finish the job this time.
We were unable to finish our homework in time.
Come on, but if you don't stay awake we'll never finish in time.
There's no one to finish this in time.
ANOTHER VICTIM OF THE NEED TO FINISH THESE SHOWS ON TIME.
We can't finish the bridge on time.
- You never finish on time anyway.
I really will finish with you this time.
Get someone to help you plough - and you'll finish in no time.
I told you we'd find a local factory that would finish it in time.

Alternatives:

You have to finish them by the deadline.
You have to finish them at the scheduled time.

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You have to finish them in time. vs You have to finish them on time.