2007-01-02 18:57:39 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
argh~ all 3 answers are contradicting can someone give me a clearer answer >.<
2007-01-02 19:04:57 · update #1
after listening to the 12th answerer, i think i kinda got it... is this correct?
"i wasn't on time, but i was still in time to catch the show."
when used by itself:
"i made it on time." is as good as "i made it in time."
ya?
2007-01-02 19:25:11 · update #2
No, both of the terms are correct but they mean different.
1. On time: at the scheduled time, or a specific point of time.
> We arrived at the airport just on time.
2. In time: Early enough.
> We were in time for the concert.
"I made it on time" and "I made it in time" are different. "I made it on time" means I did it on a point of time and if I did it any later it would mess it up, or it would be worthless.
"I made it in time" mean I did it with enough time to spare. It was still ok if I did it a bit later.
2007-01-04 06:17:05 · answer #1 · answered by SFNDX 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the difference should be very clear to any native speaker - I'm sure there is no difference here between the States and the UK.
On time means at the correct specified time. In time means that there was still enough time for whatever it was.
"I wasn't on time for my appointment, but luckily I was still in time because the doctor was also running late" = I arrived after my appointed time, but there was still time to be seen.
Hope this helps.
2007-01-03 03:16:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As the others have said, on time means accurately, e.g exactly at 2 o'clock, when your appointment was. In time means you met the deadline, like if you had to deliver a paper BY 2 o clock, perhaps you were there at 5 to 2, or even at 2 o'clock.
2007-01-03 03:08:06 · answer #3 · answered by cpinatsi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They mean the same thing in American English and are pretty much interchangeable. I can't think of any examples where it would make a difference. Your examples are fine, but I can use either "on time" or "in time" for all of them. People who try to find a difference between them will almost always use either one in their speech when they aren't paying any attention to it.
2007-01-03 03:50:46 · answer #4 · answered by Taivo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Made it on time and made it In time implies that you arrived at or before (usually before) a specified time or event. Just two different ways to say the same thing.
American or British, who knows. Both are used both places.
2007-01-03 03:07:24 · answer #5 · answered by mackjcsf 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In my opinion you would use "on time" to make the sentence an independant clause. I you used "in time" it would make the sentence a dependant clause and you would need to add something at the end like: I made in time to see the grand finale.
2007-01-03 03:01:56 · answer #6 · answered by ModeGrl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
On time is more certain, like on the dot, on Jan. 3, 2007.
In time is less specific, like in time for the test, in 2007.
Each has distinct usage. Neither is wrong.
2007-01-03 03:07:10 · answer #7 · answered by Willie Boy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
<>Essentially, they mean the same thing and can be used interchageably. As a matter of semantics, people generally use "on time" to indicate adherence to some type of scheduled event (eg: He was on time to catch the train.), while using "in time" for an unscheduled event (eg: He got back to his seat in time to see Maris hit a home run.)
2007-01-03 03:05:42 · answer #8 · answered by druid 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No. Both "on time" and "in time" are in use in American English, and probably British English as well.
2007-01-03 03:48:37 · answer #9 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
On time means you're...right on time
In time means you were late...but you didn't miss any of the good parts yet.
Neither is wrong, they just have slightly different meanings. They probably could be used interchangeably.
2007-01-03 03:06:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋