be in time to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be in time to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate arriving at a place before a scheduled time or event. Example: "I need to leave early to be in time to catch my flight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

If we go soon, we'll still be in time to see the autumn leaves".

The New Yorker

That is, I was ready once again to be in time, to be connected to its passage.

The New Yorker

Any additions will not be in time to help today, when victory for United will put them eight points ahead of Arsenal.

Independent

If you're quick, you might just be in time to take part in the live online chat with Liz Williams, archivist at the Roald Dahl Museum, and there are details of all the "fantabulous events" planned for the weekend.

The Guardian

(Also perhaps controller of time given that she and Lucas managed to get from lifeboat to airfield to London to Thames House with new research and still be in time to foil the attack).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Even though she had taken time off from work for the inspection, she said she still would not be in time to pick up her children at their bus stop after school.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

They were in time to lose honorably — 63 to 61.

The New York Times - Sports

He ran to apartment house from where the sounds came & was in time to chase Edw.

The New Yorker

We were in time to save his life, but now Shadow's run is more tightly reined in.

The Guardian

Grissom's throw bounced once but it was in time to nail Ordóñez and end the inning.

The New York Times - Sports

On her warning, Desmond is in time to see the Evening Star drift out to sea, sinking.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be in time to", ensure the sentence clearly indicates the event or deadline you are trying to meet. This avoids ambiguity and makes your writing more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "be in time to" when the consequence of being late is unclear. Always specify what you will miss if you are not "in time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be in time to" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the reason or goal for performing an action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be in time to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that expresses the intention to arrive or act before a specific event or deadline. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and versatile expression suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. While "on time" simply indicates punctuality, "be in time to" suggests punctuality with a purpose. To use it effectively, clearly specify the event or deadline you are targeting and the intended action. By following these guidelines, you can confidently incorporate "be in time to" into your writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arrive in time for

Focuses specifically on arriving before a scheduled event.

make it in time for

Emphasizes the effort required to arrive before a deadline.

get there in time for

Highlights the act of reaching a destination before a specific event.

be early enough to

Shifts focus to being sufficiently early to accomplish something.

manage to be there for

Indicates successfully attending an event despite potential difficulties.

get in before the deadline

Specifies acting before a cutoff point.

meet the deadline

Focuses directly on fulfilling a requirement by a specific time.

catch something before it's too late

Implies acting quickly to avoid a negative outcome.

be on schedule for

Indicates maintaining progress to finish by a set time.

have enough time to

Emphasizes the availability of sufficient time to complete a task.

FAQs

How can I use "be in time to" in a sentence?

Use "be in time to" to indicate arriving or acting before a deadline or scheduled event. For example, "I need to leave now to "be in time to" catch the early train".

What are some alternatives to "be in time to"?

You can use alternatives like "arrive in time for", "make it in time for", or "get there in time for" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "be in time to" or "arrive on time for"?

Both "be in time to" and "arrive on time for" are correct, but "be in time to" implies a purpose beyond simply arriving, suggesting you need to do something as a result of being there.

What's the difference between "be in time to" and "on time"?

"On time" simply means punctual, while "be in time to" suggests punctuality with an intended action or purpose. For example, "The meeting starts on time" versus "I need to be in time to present my report".