come in time

USAGE SUMMARY

"come in time" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to indicate that someone should arrive before a certain point, most often before an event or deadline. For example, "Be sure to come in time for the meeting tomorrow at 9am."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

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

"What if it doesn't come in time?

The Guardian - Opinion

Undoubtedly, it will come in time.

The Guardian

Other things will come in time".

The New York Times - Magazine

It did not come in time.

The New York Times

"Your mission will come in time".

The New York Times

History will come, in time, to either Messi or Ronaldo.

The New York Times - Sports

"Those details will all come in time," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "come in time", ensure the context clearly specifies the event or deadline you are referring to. For example, "Come in time for the presentation" is more effective than just "Come in time."

Common error

Avoid using "come in time" without specifying what you need to be on time for. Vague statements like "Things will come in time" can lack clarity. Instead, provide context, such as "The funding will come in time for the project."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come in time" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the timing of an event or action. As shown by Ludwig, it implies that something happens or someone arrives before a specific deadline or event occurs. It modifies the verb, adding information about when something takes place.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "come in time" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that highlights the importance of timeliness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it usually indicates arriving or occurring before a specific event or deadline. Analysis of its usage reveals it's most frequent in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various situations. When writing, ensure the context makes clear what the phrase relates to, and consider related phrases like "arrive punctually" or "be there on time" for nuanced expressions. Avoid vagueness in stating the goal of being on time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be in time

A more concise form of the original phrase.

make it in time

Implies overcoming obstacles to arrive before the deadline.

be there on time

Focuses on presence at the required moment using simpler language.

arrive punctually

Replaces "come" with "arrive" and emphasizes being on time.

arrive before the deadline

Specifically mentions a deadline, adding clarity to the time constraint.

show up promptly

Replaces "come" with "show up" and stresses immediate arrival.

get there early enough

Emphasizes arriving sufficiently before the deadline, not just on time.

reach by the appointed time

Uses more formal language to indicate reaching a destination by a specific time.

be present when needed

Shifts focus to being available at the necessary moment, rather than just arriving.

meet the deadline

Focuses on meeting a specific deadline, shifting the emphasis from arrival to completion.

FAQs

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

You can use "come in time" to express arriving before a specific event or deadline. For example, "Please "come in time" for the meeting" or "The package didn't "come in time" for Christmas".

What does "come in time" mean?

"Come in time" means to arrive early enough or before a specific deadline or event. It implies that being on time is important for a specific purpose.

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

You can use alternatives such as "arrive punctually", "be there on time", or "make it in time" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "in time" and "on time"?

"In time" generally means early enough or before a deadline, while "on time" means at the exact scheduled time. For example, if you arrive "in time" for a movie, you might get a good seat; if you arrive "on time", you arrive at the scheduled start.