In time or on time?

Sometimes two prepositions can be used with the same noun, but the meaning is different.

• Lessons begin at 8.30 and I always arrive on time. (= at 8.30)


• Lessons begin at 8.30 and I always get there in time. (= before 8.30; I'm not late)


• In the end we went home. (= finally, after a long period)


• At the end of the book they get married.


• The two men are in business. (= they are businessmen)


• The two men are in Germany on business. (= they are there for work and not for a holiday)


• I'll see you in a moment. (= very soon)


• I can't speak to you at the moment. (= right now)

On time and in time

On time = punctual, not late.
If something happens on time, it happens at the time which was planned:

• The 11.45 train left on time. (= it left at 11.45)


• Til meet you at 7.30.'   'OK, but please be on time.' (= don't be late, be there at 7.30


• The conference was well-organised. Everything began and finished on time.

The opposite of on time is late:

• Be on time. Don't be late.

In time (for something / to do something) = soon enough:

• Will you be home in time for dinner?
  (= soon enough for dinner)


• I've sent Emma a birthday present. 1 hope it arrives in time (for her birthday).
  (= on or before her birthday)


• I'm in a hurry. I want to be home in time to see the game on television.
  (= soon enough to see the game)

The opposite of in time is too late:

• I got home too late to see the game on television.

You can say just in time (= almost too late):

• We got to the station just in time for our train.


• A child ran into the road in front of the car - I managed to stop just in time.