plan in time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plan in time" is not commonly used in written English and may be unclear in meaning.
It could be interpreted as referring to planning something within a specific timeframe or deadline. Example: "We need to ensure that we plan in time to meet the project deadline next month."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Germany barely finished its emissions plan in time.

The Economist

Current projects include updating the bathrooms and completing a master plan in time for the theater's 125th anniversary next year.

The New York Times

But at least one retailer, Virgin has refused to comply with requirements of the plan in time to participate in the fourth quarter, according to a Universal executive.

The New York Times

Engineers expressed cautious optimism about the prospects of coming up with an acceptable spacecraft-saving plan in time for a meeting with NASA officials on Feb. 24.

The New York Times

But the Germans may not obtain the necessary approvals for their part of the plan in time to join the mission right away.

The New York Times

Democrats in the House and Senate were hoping to resolve their differences in the bill, aides said, and present a unified health care plan in time for the meeting.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The president said he was invoking his authority to put in place his own pay plan in times of a national emergency or serious economic conditions.

The New York Times

The plan is not legally binding, because a clinician may deviate from the content of the plan in times of crises if strictly necessary for the treatment of the patient.

BMC Psychiatry

It will work with foster care agencies to create the plans in time to find adequate housing.

The New York Times

It would be very difficult to alter the interim plans, which modestly improved on the Legislature's plans, in time for the November elections.

The New York Times

New York has dedicated issues to documenting the traumatic events but Ms. Miller said she planned in time to carry on.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When needing to convey the sense of planning within a limited or critical timeframe, consider using stronger alternatives such as "plan ahead" or "schedule accordingly" for increased clarity.

Common error

While grammatically acceptable, overuse of "plan in time" can make your writing sound unnatural or less professional. Substitute it with more precise phrases like "schedule accordingly" or "arrange in advance" especially in business or academic settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plan in time" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting adverbially to modify a verb by indicating the timing or scheduling aspect of planning. Ludwig suggests the phrase is not commonly used and can be improved by alternative expressions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "plan in time" is used to convey the idea of scheduling or preparing with a specific deadline in mind. Ludwig AI suggests that while grammatically acceptable, the phrase isn't as common or clear as alternatives like "plan ahead" or "schedule accordingly". Given its infrequent usage and the availability of better options, particularly in formal settings, it's recommended to consider alternative phrasings for improved clarity and impact. While acceptable, the choice of "plan in time" should be deliberate, weighing the benefits against more standard expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

schedule accordingly

Focuses on adjusting plans to fit a timeline. Can be used more generally.

arrange in advance

Emphasizes the act of setting up plans well before the event. Less specific about a deadline.

prepare beforehand

Highlights making preparations ahead of a deadline or event.

organize proactively

Highlights the proactive approach to organizing within a given timeframe.

make timely arrangements

Focuses on making arrangements within a suitable timeframe.

formulate a schedule

Emphasizes the act of setting up plans with an intended timing. More specific about a deadline.

get ready early

Stresses the importance of preparing well in advance. It's more informal and less specific.

set things up ahead

Focuses on configuring or arranging elements before a specific event or date. More informal.

establish a timeline

Emphasizes the creation of a sequence of events with specific time boundaries. Focuses on deadlines.

devise a schedule

Highlights the creative act of building a schedule. More formal.

FAQs

What does "plan in time" mean?

The phrase "plan in time" suggests making arrangements or preparations while considering a specific timeframe or deadline. However, it's not as commonly used as alternatives like "plan ahead" or "schedule accordingly".

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

While you can use "plan in time" as in "We need to "plan in time" to meet the deadline", consider using more common alternatives such as "plan ahead" or "schedule it appropriately" for greater clarity.

What are some alternatives to "plan in time"?

Alternatives include "plan ahead", "schedule accordingly", or "arrange in advance". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "plan in time" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, the phrase "plan in time" is less conventional than options like "plan ahead". It might be better to use one of the more common options.