ENGLISH
REFERENCE

in time

prep. phr..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

prep. phr.. to arrive or do something early enough so that you are not late for a specific event.

prep. phr.. occurring or arriving with sufficient time remaining before a deadline or a scheduled event; functions as an adverbial phrase of time.


SIMPLE

We arrived at the station in time to catch the train.

CONTEXTUAL

The ambulance arrived just in time to save the patient's life after the accident.

COMPLEX

The legal team submitted the necessary documentation in time for the judge to review it before the morning hearing.

Usage

often followed by 'to' + verb or 'for' + noun to show the purpose of being early.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'on time' (at the exact scheduled moment); 'in time' implies a margin of safety or a deadline that was nearly missed.

Pitfall

The meeting starts in time.The meeting starts on time.use 'on time' for scheduled events that start at a specific clock time; use 'in time' for being early enough for something.

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