Intermediate grammar · Unit 122 · B1

on time and in time at the end and in the end

Prepositions

On time means punctual and in time means soon enough. At the end means at the point when something finishes, and in the end means finally, after a delay or a struggle.

Go to the exercises

A on time and in time

on time means punctual, not late. If something happens on time, it happens at the time that was planned.

in time (for something / to do something) means soon enough. You are not late for the thing that matters, whatever the timetable says.

The opposite of in time is too late.

just in time means almost too late. It is the preposition of choice for anyone who has ever sprinted for a closing door.

  • The 7.15 to Doncaster left on time for once.
  • The meeting starts at nine. Please be on time.
  • The wedding was well planned. Every speech started and finished on time.
  • Will you be back in time for tea? (= soon enough for tea)
  • I posted Dad's card on Monday. I hope it gets there in time. (= on or before his birthday)
  • I want to leave work in time to pick the kids up from school.
  • I left work too late to pick the kids up.
  • We reached the bus stop just in time to catch the last bus.
  • A dog ran out from behind a van, but the cyclist braked just in time.

B at the end and in the end

at the end (of something) means at the time when something finishes: at the end of the week, at the end of March, at the end of the match, at the end of the play, at the end of term, at the end of the gig.

We do not say "in the end of ...". The opposite is at the beginning (not "in the beginning").

in the end means finally. Use it to give the final result of a situation, usually after some difficulty or indecision.

The opposite of in the end is at first.

  • We are moving house at the end of March.
  • At the end of the play, the audience stood up and clapped.
  • The two captains swapped shirts at the end of the match.
  • I'm starting the new job at the beginning of March. (not in the beginning)
  • The boiler kept breaking down, so in the end we replaced it.
  • Kate argued with the referee for ten minutes. In the end she was sent off.
  • Owen couldn't choose between Leeds and York, and in the end he stayed in Hull. (not at the end)
  • At first I hated living in Cardiff, but in the end I loved it.

Exercises

122.1 Complete the sentences with on time or in time.

on timein time

  1. The ferry is normally on time, but it was forty minutes late today.

    The ferry is normally on time, but it was forty minutes late today.

  2. The match was due to kick off at three, but it didn't start .

  3. The buses round here are hopeless. They are hardly ever .

  4. We almost missed the start of the show. We got to the theatre just .

  5. The lesson must begin , so please don't be late.

  6. I've only just put the bread in the oven. I hope it will be ready for lunch.

  7. I nearly forgot to renew my car insurance. Luckily I remembered .

  8. Why can't you ever be ? We always have to wait for you.

  9. The council hopes the new bridge will be finished for the summer festival.

122.2 Read each situation and write a sentence with just in time, using the words in brackets.

  1. A dog ran out in front of your bike. You saw it at the very last second. (manage / stop)

    I managed to stop just in time.

    I managed to stop just in time.

  2. You were walking back from the shops. A minute after you got inside, there was a huge thunderstorm. (get / home)

  3. Your flatmate was about to drink from a bottle of paint thinner. You shouted, "Don't drink that!", and he put it down. (stop / him)

  4. You and your sister were late for a concert, and you thought you would miss the start. The band walked on stage just as you found your seats. (get / concert / start / show)

122.3 Complete the sentences using at the end and one of these.

the matchthe weekthe termthe marathonthe meeting

  1. The two teams shook hands at the end of the match.

    The two teams shook hands at the end of the match.

  2. My wages go into the bank every Friday, so I get paid .

  3. The pupils had a disco in the school hall .

  4. Three of the runners fainted .

  5. Nobody had any questions, so we all went home .

122.4 Write a sentence with in the end. Use the verb in brackets.

  1. The boiler kept breaking down all winter. (replace)

    In the end we replaced it.

    In the end we replaced it.

  2. Martin got more and more tired of commuting to Manchester. (move)

  3. I tried to learn the violin, but my neighbours complained too often. (give up)

  4. We couldn't decide whether to buy the house or not. (not / buy)

122.5 Put in at or in.

atin

  1. We're moving to Swansea at the end of the year.

    We're moving to Swansea at the end of the year.

  2. It took Laura ages to pass her driving test. the end she passed on her fifth try.

  3. I couldn't choose a jacket in the sale. I didn't buy one the end.

  4. I'm visiting my aunt in Belfast the end of next week.

  5. We queued for ages at the taxi rank. the end we walked home.

  6. the end of the film, everyone in the cinema cheered.

  7. The new puppy chewed everything at first, but the end he calmed down.

  8. You had two job offers. Which one did you take the end?

  9. The roadworks caused terrible delays, but we got to Norwich the end.

  10. Are you starting your new job the beginning of May or the end?

See also