complete in time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complete in time" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about doing something within a certain amount of time. For example: "I need to make sure this project is complete in time for the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

The bark is tightest during this time of year and timing allows for colonization to be complete in time for the earliest fruiting 12 months later.

Cornell University

That passage should be complete in time for the 2007 migration season.

The New York Times

The ICC has called for an independent assessment which could be complete in time for the first Test in Brisbane.

Independent

"In London we have seen a 35% increase in exchange activity in the last week as buyers rush to complete in time for the stamp duty deadline.

The Guardian - Money

The Udinese owner, Giampaolo Pozzo, has invested €30m into the stadium and expects it to be complete in time for the 2015-16 season.

The Guardian - Sport

2009 Stadiums Centre Court, Wimbledon The new roof, three years in the making, will be complete in time for June and will ensure fortnight-long tennis in SW19 whatever the weather.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

This leads to the classes P, NP, and NP-complete in time complexity and L, NL , PSPACEin space complexity.

University of California, Berkeley

Conversions are to be completed in time for Christmas trading.

The Guardian - Business

Many were not completed in time for war service.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Ran," or "Turmoil," was not completed in time for the Cannes Film Festival this month.

The New York Times

(It replaces a new show of his that was not completed in time for the run).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When planning projects, clearly define deadlines and allocate sufficient resources to ensure the task is "complete in time". This proactive approach helps prevent last-minute rushes and ensures higher quality outcomes.

Common error

Avoid the common pitfall of underestimating the time required for complex tasks. Always pad your estimates to realistically ensure the project is "complete in time", accounting for unexpected delays or challenges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complete in time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to specify when an action should be finished. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

25%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "complete in time" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression, particularly in news and academic contexts, to emphasize the significance of meeting deadlines. Ludwig AI confirms its general usability. While there are several semantically related alternatives like "finish before the deadline" and "meet the deadline", the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using the phrase, it's important to realistically estimate task completion times to avoid common pitfalls. Understanding its communicative purpose and appropriate register enhances effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finish before the deadline

Focuses specifically on meeting a deadline.

meet the deadline

Emphasizes adherence to a set timeframe.

accomplish in the allotted time

Highlights the limitation of the timeframe available.

finalize within the timeframe

Emphasizes the concluding aspect of the action within a period.

conclude punctually

Highlights finishing something exactly on time.

get done in time

A more casual way to express finishing something before a certain point.

be ready by then

Focuses on the state of readiness within a specific time.

wrap up on schedule

Highlights finishing according to the intended schedule.

deliver promptly

Emphasizes timely delivery of a product or result.

achieve by the cutoff

Focuses on reaching a certain goal before the defined cutoff point.

FAQs

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

You can use "complete in time" to describe finishing a task or project before a specific deadline or event. For instance, "The construction needs to be "completed in time" for the grand opening".

What is the difference between "complete in time" and "on time"?

"Complete in time" implies finishing a task before a deadline, while "on time" indicates meeting a scheduled time. You might deliver a project "on time", but ensuring its completion requires that it is "completed in time".

What are some alternatives to using "complete in time"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "finish before the deadline", "meet the deadline", or "be ready by then".

Is it better to use "complete in time" or "completed in time"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but ""completed in time"" is generally used when referring to something that has already happened. "Complete in time" can refer to a future goal.