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Elcid Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

"on time" vs. "in time"

Hi,

Could anyone please explain me the difference between these two sentences?
1) " You should be there in the meeting in time."
2) " You should be there in the meeting on time."

What is the difference between 'in time' and 'on time'? Is it that 'in time' refers the time which seems appropriate and 'on time' means not later than the appointed time?

Thanks & Regards
  

Top answer

on time - not before, not after, but dead on time. in time - not late. So, with reference to your sentences, the first example wants to say that you should not be late but you can come earlier, while the second one tells you to come exactly at the time arranged.

— MichalS

  • on time - not before, not after, but dead on time.
  • in time - not late.
  • So, with reference to your sentences, the first example wants to say that you should not be late but you can come earlier, while the second one tells you to come exactly at the time arranged.
  • These are maybe not the best examples to show the difference.
  • 15 train started on time.
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2 Answers
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on time - not before, not after, but dead on time.

in time - not late.

So, with reference to your sentences, the first example wants to say that you should not be late but you can come earlier, while the second one tells you to come exactly at the time arranged.

These are maybe not the best examples to show the difference. Look at the following one
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Thanks a lot for your reply!

Regards
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