come on time

USAGE SUMMARY

'come on time' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in many different contexts. For example: "Please make sure to come on time to the meeting tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

"It was terrible waiting, you're living one day to the next not knowing if it's going to come on time.

The Guardian

Oh, come on – time travel!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"A punch card system will make workers come on time".

The New York Times

"But very rarely do they come on time.

The New York Times

In the last decade, these rains never come on time.

The Guardian - Opinion

Teachers, he said, "want the textbooks to be there and the students to come on time".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

It should be noted that most women have usually come to health clinic by themselves and rather not missed ANC scheduled visits, but they tended not to come on-time as per schedule.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Come on!" At times she joked — and even praised.

The New York Times - Arts

The police, they say, never came on time, and no one was arrested.

Huffington Post

But, at the same time, 'Come on, Tom.

The New Yorker

Celebrate good times, come on.  .

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone, use "come on time" to emphasize the importance of punctuality for meetings, appointments, or deadlines. This phrase conveys a clear expectation of being present and ready at the designated time.

Common error

Avoid using "come on time" in extremely formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it may sound too casual. Opt for phrases like "arrive punctually" or "ensure timely arrival" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come on time" functions as an imperative, often used to directly instruct or request someone to arrive or be present at a specific time. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its common usage in everyday language.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "come on time" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to instruct or request someone to be punctual. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, although it may be perceived as too informal for highly professional or academic settings. The phrase is frequently found in news, media, scientific publications, and wikis. While direct and clear, considering context and audience formality is essential. Alternatives such as "arrive punctually" or "be punctual" may be more suitable for formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not be late

Expresses the concept by avoiding tardiness.

turn up on time

Uses a phrasal verb to describe arriving at the expected hour.

make it on time

Expresses the achievement of timeliness even with difficulty.

arrive punctually

Focuses on the manner of arrival, emphasizing being on time as a matter of principle or habit.

be prompt

Highlights the quality of being ready and available at the expected time.

be on schedule

Shifts the emphasis from arrival to the adherence to a predefined timeline or plan.

be there at the appointed time

More formal, emphasizing a pre-arranged meeting or event.

keep to time

Stresses the act of maintaining a planned schedule.

meet the deadline

Focuses on completing a task or project within the established time frame.

respect the schedule

Highlights a commitment to keeping time

FAQs

How can I politely ask someone to "come on time"?

You could say, "It's important to "arrive promptly"" or "Please make every effort to "be punctual"."

What does it mean when someone says "come on time"?

It means they expect you to be present or have something completed by the scheduled or agreed-upon time. It's a direct way of emphasizing the importance of being punctual and respecting the given schedule.

Is it better to say "be on time" or "come on time"?

Both are acceptable, but "be on time" is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of contexts. "Come on time" is often used when specifically referring to arriving at a location or event.

What's the difference between "come on time" and ""be punctual""?

"Come on time" is a more direct and informal way of asking someone to arrive at the expected time, while ""be punctual"" is more formal and emphasizes a general habit of being on time.