just in time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just in time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express that something has happened at the last possible moment before it was too late. For example, "The fire department arrived just in time to put out the fire."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Just in time, too.

The New York Times - Sports

You're just in time!

The New Yorker

Just in time for Thanksgiving.

The New Yorker

Gets home just in time.

The New Yorker

Ohhhhhh just in time!

University of California, Berkeley

We should be finished just in time".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Just-in-time delivery works.

The New York Times

(ii) Just-in-Time Application Adaptation.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

This RFA uses just-in-time concepts.

Environmental Health Perspectives

This PA uses just-in-time concepts.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Many manufacturers use just-in-time (J.I.T).

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just in time" to emphasize the narrow margin by which something was accomplished or avoided. This can add a sense of urgency or relief to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "just in time" when something simply happens on schedule, not at the last possible moment. Ensure that there's a clear implication of near lateness or potential failure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just in time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate the timing of an action or event. It typically expresses that something occurred at the latest possible moment. Ludwig AI confirms this with many examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "just in time" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase widely employed to denote events occurring at the last possible moment. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and versatility across numerous contexts. It is frequently found in news and media, but also appears in academic and formal business settings. When writing, ensure that its use accurately reflects the temporal urgency intended, differentiating it from simply being "on time". Alternatives such as "at the last moment" and ""in the nick of time"" provide similar emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the nick of time

An idiomatic expression emphasizing the narrow escape from being too late.

in the nick of time

Emphasizes the narrowness of the time window.

at the eleventh hour

Highlights the urgency and lateness of the timing.

at the last moment

Focuses on the temporal aspect of being at the final opportunity.

barely in time

Emphasizes the closeness of the timing.

with seconds to spare

Highlights the minimal amount of time remaining.

with no time to spare

Highlights the lack of extra time.

in the very last second

Emphasizes the temporal precision of the timing.

at the critical moment

Focuses on the importance of the timing.

close to the deadline

Highlights proximity to a specific cutoff.

FAQs

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

Use "just in time" to indicate that something happened at the last possible moment before it was too late. For example, "The doctor arrived "in the nick of time" to save the patient's life".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "just in time"?

You can use phrases like "at the last moment", ""in the nick of time"", or "at the eleventh hour" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "just in time"?

Yes, "just in time" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase that is commonly used in written and spoken English.

What's the difference between "just in time" and "on time"?

"Just in time" implies that something happened at the very last moment, whereas "on time" simply means that something happened as scheduled.