close on time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close on time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is expected to finish or conclude at the scheduled or designated time. Example: "The meeting is scheduled to close on time, so please be prepared to wrap up by 3 PM."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"I can tell you which ones I would not recommend," Derrick says, "because they never close on time, they're always late with paperwork, and that kind of stuff can cause deals to fall through". Then check in with at least two or three lenders so you have an idea of what's out there.

Forbes

All right, we're cutting it close on time, but a few final things before Ruby arrives.

The New Yorker

A lawyer also orders title insurance and works with your lender to make sure you close on time.

The New York Times

Then, contending that Ms. Calderone had defaulted on the purchase agreement by failing to close on time, Pulte kept her $20,000 deposit.

The New York Times

As a result, an increasing number of borrowers who elected to lock in their rates at the end of last year but did not close on time must now arrange extensions of their lock-in agreements.

The New York Times

THE alcohol stores in Helsingor struggle to close on time, as Swedes cram in to grab a few more bottles before heading back across the Oresund strait that divides these Nordic neighbours.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Big, national lenders are famous for not closing on time.

Forbes

Mr. Dolan said that a temporary signal system was installed and that the trains were running close to on time by noon yesterday and were expected to run on time today.

The New York Times

"I have obviously been keeping a close eye on BSB and it looks like it is not going to be easy with the level of riders on the grid and everyone is so close on times.

BBC

We closed on time.

Forbes

It was so slow, for latency and bandwidth reasons, that it made it difficult for them to do their operations properly–have the right inventory levels in their stores and get their books closed on time.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing project timelines or financial agreements, use "close on time" to clearly convey the expectation of completing the process within the agreed-upon timeframe.

Common error

Avoid using "close on time" when you actually mean to say something was "finished early" or "completed ahead of schedule". "Close on time" specifically means that something concluded exactly when expected, not sooner.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close on time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb and indicating the timing of an action. As stated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in business and real estate contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close on time" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe the completion of something at the expected time. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and the examples show its prevalence in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. It's crucial to use this phrase precisely, ensuring it reflects the actual completion date and avoiding confusion with similar concepts like finishing early. Related phrases such as "finish promptly" and "complete by the deadline" can be used as alternatives, but understanding their nuances is essential for accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finish promptly

Emphasizes the importance of finishing at the exact scheduled time.

conclude punctually

Focuses on the act of ending at the appointed time.

complete by the deadline

Highlights finishing a task before or on the final permissible day.

meet the deadline

Stresses adherence to a specific time limit.

adhere to schedule

Indicates sticking to the planned timetable.

stick to the schedule

Informal way of saying to adhere to the schedule.

on schedule

A briefer way to express meeting a deadline.

in a timely manner

Expresses that something is done efficiently without an excessive delay.

within the allotted time

Highlights respecting the time given for a task.

before the due date

Highlights delivering before a specific date.

FAQs

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

You can use "close on time" to indicate that something is expected to finish or conclude at the scheduled or designated time. For example: "The meeting is scheduled to close on time, so please be prepared to wrap up by 3 PM."

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

You can use alternatives like "finish promptly", "conclude punctually", or "complete by the deadline" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "closed on time"?

Yes, "closed on time" is grammatically correct and can be used to describe something that has already finished or concluded at the scheduled or designated time. For instance, "The deal closed on time yesterday."

What is the difference between "close on time" and "on schedule"?

"Close on time" refers to the act of finishing something at the expected time. "On schedule" indicates that progress is aligned with the planned timeline, but doesn't necessarily mean it's finished. Something can be "on schedule" and still not "close on time" if delays occur later.