Search from various English teachers...
Mhl
Will you be ON/IN time for dinner? which one is correct and why?
Thanks
Apr 2, 2024 5:38 PM
Answers · 3
4
They could both be correct.
ON time means not late and IN time means not TOO late.
If the dinner was scheduled for a specific time, say 7 p.m., you would be ON time if you were there at 7 p.m.
If dinner was served between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., you would be IN time if you got there before 8 p.m. But you couldn't be ON time for dinner in this situation as there is no specified point of time.
I didn't arrive at the meeting ON time but I was IN time to see the final presentation. = I was late for the [start of the] meeting but I wasn't TOO late to see the final presentation.
I was ON time for my interview. - there was an appointed time for this
I dropped a glass but I was able to catch it IN time [before it hit the floor]. - there was no appointed time for this
To decide which one to use, you can ask the questions:
Was I late? - ON time
Was I too late? - IN time
April 2, 2024
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!
Mhl
Language Skills
Arabic, English, French
Learning Language
English, French
Articles You May Also Like

Same Word, Different Meaning: American, British, and South African English
10 likes · 7 Comments

How to Sound Confident in English (Even When You’re Nervous)
12 likes · 9 Comments

Marketing Vocabulary and Phrases for Business English Learners
9 likes · 2 Comments
More articles