Learn English – Difference between “in time” and “on time”

differenceexpressionsprepositionsword-usage

I have an appointment at 8 and I arrive there at 7:55, is it "on time" or "in time"? What about "the nick of time"?

Best Answer

In time

Suggests that you arrived, or accomplished the desired task, at a time sufficient to be effective. Typically, this means "at or before a deadline."

We finished cleaning the house in time for the guests to arrive.

In time to...

A related variation on the phrase "in time" is "in time to" (also "with time to"), and indicates that you arrived or accomplished a task with time remaining, sufficient to do something else.

I finished cooking dinner in time to take a shower before the guests arrived.

We got the kids in bed with time to watch a movie.

On time

Suggests that you arrived, or accomplished the desired task "exactly on schedule."

I arrived on time, at 8:00pm.

Although, the phrase "on time" is often used interchangeably with "in time" and it is probably rare that you would find a context where only one would be understood.

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