Exactly on time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Exactly on time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurred at the precise moment it was expected or scheduled. Example: "The train arrived exactly on time, allowing all passengers to board without delay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Others preferred to receive four messages per day: ie, 15 minutes before time and one exactly on time for medication (twice daily).

HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care

In fact, of all the people I know who have completed their PhDs, only one finished exactly on time, and a number said they had to rush theirs.

The Guardian

The perky Ms. Hilton arrived at 1 p.m., one hour after her scheduled time, but exactly on time if you truly live the New York high life.

The New York Times

"If you're exactly on time, that means you engaged in split second timing," she says.

Huffington Post

We were exactly on time, but there was a long queue already (punctuality is one of Guru-ji's surprising qualities).

Vice

This yardstick, the one now in use, says that service does not have to be exactly on time, which would be impossible in such a crowded system.

The New York Times

Generally speaking, no one was going to complain if they didn't get sent out exactly on time, or if they were asked to take only 20 minutes.

HuffPost

It arrived, presented perfectly, exactly on time.

The New York Times - Travel

It took off exactly on time.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Unlike so many other performers, she came out exactly on-time.

Huffington Post

CIs cannot be calculated for the average rate of gains using this method because gain events occur exactly one time on the tree and there is no variance in gains among ortholog sets.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exactly on time" when emphasizing the importance of precision in timing. For instance, in medical contexts (medication) or formal meetings.

Common error

Avoid using "exactly on time" in contexts where a slight deviation from the schedule is acceptable. Overusing it can create an impression of rigidity or inflexibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly on time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to specify the precise timing of an action or event. It indicates that something occurred at the scheduled or expected moment without any deviation. Ludwig contains several examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "exactly on time" is grammatically correct and very common, used to emphasize precision in timing across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase adheres to standard grammar rules. It is particularly prevalent in News & Media, Academia and Science. While highly versatile, it's best to use it when emphasizing the importance of punctuality. Alternatives like "punctually" or "right on time" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

right on time

Indicates precise arrival or occurrence at the scheduled moment.

on the dot

Emphasizes exactness and immediacy in timing.

precisely on schedule

Highlights the accuracy of adhering to a predefined timetable.

punctually

Single word synonym emphasizing adherence to a schedule.

at the appointed time

Formally indicates meeting a predetermined time.

as scheduled

Confirms that something happened according to plan.

on cue

Implies perfect timing, often in a performance context.

at the precise moment

Highlights the exactness of the timing.

to the second

Emphasizes timing accurate down to the second.

sharp

Informal, succinct way to denote punctuality.

FAQs

How can I use "exactly on time" in a sentence?

You can use "exactly on time" to emphasize that something happened at the precise moment it was expected, such as "The meeting started exactly on time."

What can I say instead of "exactly on time"?

Alternatives include "punctually", "right on time", or "on the dot", depending on the context.

Which is correct: "exactly on time" or "on exactly time"?

"Exactly on time" is the correct phrasing. The alternative is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "exactly on time" and "on time"?

"Exactly on time" emphasizes precision, while "on time" simply means not late. For example, arriving at 10:00 AM for a 10:00 AM appointment is "exactly on time", whereas arriving at 9:55 AM is still "on time" but not "exactly on time".