came in time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "came in time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an event that happened at the last possible moment, for example: The rescuers arrived at the scene of the accident just in time; they came in time to save the victims.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The question now is whether his response came in time.

The New York Times

An innovative breakthrough came in time for the 1890 census, when the population reached 63 million.

The New York Times

And also I came in time to see it myself in a larger context".

The New York Times - Books

The news came in time for the final edition of the Guardian.

The Guardian

The measure came in time to head off major revolts in Umbria and Etruria, which accepted at once.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When Mr. Cline asked for new computers, they came in time to train students for the state computer exams.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Coming in time for ski season: "Germany.

The New Yorker

Those things will come in time.

Independent

That may not come in time.

The New York Times

"That will come in time".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Those will come, in time.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "came in time", ensure the context clearly indicates what negative outcome was averted by the timely occurrence.

Common error

Avoid using "came in time" when the timing is simply convenient but not critical. The phrase implies averting a negative outcome due to the timing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "came in time" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the timing of an action. It specifies that an event occurred at the last possible moment to avert a negative consequence. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage is grammatically correct and common.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "came in time" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that an event occurred at the last possible moment, averting a negative outcome. As Ludwig confirms, it is suitable for neutral to formal contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific writing. When using "came in time", it is important to ensure that the context clearly demonstrates the criticality of the timing and the potential negative consequence that was avoided. Related phrases such as "arrived just in time" or "happened at the right moment" can be used as alternatives to provide different nuances. Remember the best practice to use the phrase to emphasize that an action or event occurred just before it was too late, highlighting the importance of the timing. A common mistake is to use "came in time" when the timing is simply convenient but not crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arrived just in time

Focuses on the arrival aspect, emphasizing being punctual before a deadline.

was timely

A more concise way of expressing that something happened at an opportune time.

happened at the right moment

Highlights the serendipitous nature of the event's timing.

couldn't have come at a better time

Expresses that the event's timing was ideal and extremely beneficial.

occurred at a critical juncture

Emphasizes the significance of the timing in relation to a decisive point.

was just in the nick of time

Emphasis on the precision and narrow margin by which something occurred before being too late.

emerged when it mattered most

Focuses on the appearance or rise of something precisely when needed.

showed up in the nick of time

Uses a more informal idiom to convey the idea of a last-minute arrival.

presented itself at the eleventh hour

Highlights the lateness of the timing, almost missing the opportunity.

availed itself at the opportune moment

Signifies something became available at the most favorable and convenient time.

FAQs

How can I use "came in time" in a sentence?

You can use "came in time" to express that something happened just before it was too late. For example, "The ambulance "arrived just in time" to save the patient's life".

What can I say instead of "came in time"?

Alternatives include "arrived just in time", "happened at the right moment", or "was timely", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "came in time" grammatically correct?

Yes, "came in time" is grammatically correct. It's a common phrase used to indicate that something happened at the last possible moment to prevent a negative outcome.

What does "came in time" imply about the situation?

It implies that there was a potential negative outcome that was avoided because something happened with perfect timing. It highlights the urgency and importance of the timing.