not in time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not in time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was not completed or delivered within a specified timeframe. Example: "Unfortunately, the report was submitted not in time for the meeting, so we had to proceed without it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But not in time for him.

The New York Times - Books

"But not in time for the president's announcement".

The New York Times

Things are changing but not in time for London 2012.

The Guardian - Sport

He's oriented in history, but not in time, perhaps".

The New Yorker

"Longevity" here means extension not in time but in space.

The New York Times

Saunders dodged, but not in time; bird's wing brushed face.

The New Yorker

She noticed him immediately, but not in time.

The New York Times

Republicans countered that the policy should not be changed, certainly not in time of war.

The New York Times

The police came quickly, though not in time to arrest anyone.

The New York Times

Barkley arrived later in the afternoon, but not in time for practice.

The New York Times - Sports

Airplanes have almost always been controlled in altitude, latitude and longitude, but not in time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not in time", ensure the context clearly defines what the deadline or required time frame was. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens your message.

Common error

Avoid using "not in time" when the timing doesn't directly affect the outcome. Ensure the consequence of the delay is clear and relevant to the situation you're describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not in time" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating that an action or event occurred after the necessary or optimal moment. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its use across various contexts to express a missed opportunity or deadline.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not in time" effectively conveys that something occurred too late to be useful or effective. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse fields such as News & Media, Science and Business. While alternatives like "too late" or "after the deadline" exist, "not in time" provides a specific nuance related to missed opportunities. To leverage this phrase effectively, ensure the context clearly defines the relevant time frame and consequence. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is a valuable tool for clear communication when timing matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

too late

A more direct way of saying something happened after the deadline or when it was no longer useful.

after the deadline

Specifically refers to missing a set deadline.

behind schedule

Indicates a delay in progress, resulting in missed deadlines.

belatedly

Describes an action done late or tardily.

past the due date

Specifically indicates that the deadline was missed.

tardily

Similar to 'belatedly', suggesting slowness or lateness.

after the fact

Indicates awareness or action occurring only after an event has concluded.

subsequently

Implies occurrence after a specific event or point in time.

with undue delay

Highlights an action performed after an unreasonable amount of waiting.

in retrospect

Signifies looking back and realizing something should have been done earlier.

FAQs

What does "not in time" mean?

The phrase "not in time" means that something happened too late or after the necessary moment for it to be effective or useful.

What are some alternatives to "not in time"?

You can use alternatives such as "too late", "after the deadline", or "belatedly" depending on the specific context.

How do I use "not in time" in a sentence?

You can use "not in time" to indicate that an action or event occurred after the optimal or required moment. For example, "The package arrived, but it was "not in time" for the birthday."

Is it better to say "not in time" or "too late"?

Both "not in time" and "too late" are correct, but "not in time" may sometimes provide a slightly more nuanced indication that a specific opportunity was missed. "Too late" is often more direct.