English For You By You: On time / in time

On time, In time, At the end, In the end, Exercises

On time and in time

On time means punctual, not late! Something happens on time, when it happens at the time that was planned.

I have a rendez-vous with her at 6.30 pm. OK, hurry up and be there on time
==> don't be late, try to be there exactly at 6.30 pm. (punctual!)
The concert started and ended up on time as it was planned.
The 10.00 pm match between Germany and Algeria began right on time
==> it began exactly at 10.00 pm.
P.S.: As you can notice, the opposite of on time is late.
be on time please! ==> don't be late!

In time means soon enough for something or to do something!

I'm hurrying up to get home in time for the match.
==> soon enough to watch the match!
I've sent my son a birthday present. I hope it arrives in time (for his birthday).
==> soon enough for his birthday.
Jazz is going to be home in time for dinner.
==> soon enough for dinner.
P.S.: As you can notice, the opposite of in time is too late.
Janeel got home too late to see the match!
Its also possible to say just in time.
==> which means almost too late.

At the end and in the end

At the end means at the time (when) something ends up!

At the end of the game. ==> when the game comes to its end.
At the end of the day. ==> for example when the sun sets down.
I'm flying to LA at the end of january. ==> at the end of the month.
P.S.: By the way, in the end of is banned.
The opposite of at the end is of course at the beginning. ==> at the beginning of the day.

In the end means finally, it's about the final result of a situation!

Germany struggled 90 minutes against Algeria, but in the end won the match.
==> finally they won the match.
At the end of the day. ==> for example when the sun sets down.
The school year was hard. In the end I passed all my exams. ==> I finally passed all my exams!
P.S.: The opposite of in the end is often at first.
==> At first I didn't realise it was raining, but in the end I ran back home.

English For You By You