quite in time

USAGE SUMMARY

"quite in time" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means that something happened at the right moment or at the expected time. Example: The train arrived quite in time, just as I was about to give up and look for another mode of transportation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Not getting my coffee quite in time.

The Guardian

Gerald volunteered for military service not quite in time to fight in the First World War.

The New Yorker

The bodies hum up and down, not quite in time to the music.

The New Yorker

Drake casually marks time, except he's not quite in time, because Drake shuns the concept of dancing to anyone's beat, not even his own.

The Guardian - Music

Though he didn't get there quite in time, his progress, chronicled by the newspapers, enthralled a nation in need of some small fun, and he became an improbable American hero, a kind of Lindbergh of the corns and calluses.

The New Yorker

For years I've obsessed over what my witty comeback should be, and still I never manage to think of anything quite in time to retaliate with acerbic nonchalance, before flashing a winning grin and striding away.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Though obviously I might not be quite up in time for my morning tai-chi.

The Guardian - Travel

The local flow is extremely non-homogeneous in space and, for high Reynolds numbers, quite fluctuating in time.

Chemical Engineering Science

Recent excavations at several sites lend further support to existing evidence that human populations had initially camped on these interior tree islands quite early in time.

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

Transients in electrochemical noise (EN) signals that are associated with localized corrosion typically contain frequency information that is quite localized in time.

Electrochimica Acta

"Unfortunately for Tim, he hasn't quite recovered in time.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite in time" to subtly indicate that something occurred close to the deadline or expected moment, without necessarily implying a last-minute situation. For example, "The package arrived quite in time for the presentation, giving us ample opportunity to prepare."

Common error

Avoid using "quite in time" when you want to emphasize something happened exactly on time or well in advance. This phrase suggests a near miss or a close call, not perfect punctuality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite in time" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates the timing of an event or action, specifying that it occurred close to the required or expected moment. As Ludwig AI states, it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quite in time" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to express that an event occurred near the expected or required moment. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct, although it appears relatively infrequently, primarily in news and media and occasionally in scientific contexts. The phrase is appropriate for neutral registers. It is important to note, therefore, that while it can be an impactful way to convey a close call scenario, it should not be used when you actually mean "exactly on time."

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just in the nick of time

Emphasizes the narrow margin by which something was achieved or averted.

almost on schedule

Indicates a near adherence to a planned or expected timetable.

nearly punctual

Focuses on the aspect of being close to being on time.

virtually on time

Suggests a level of adherence that is almost, but not perfectly, on schedule.

sufficiently timely

Highlights that the timing was adequate or good enough for the purpose.

closely on schedule

Similar to 'almost on schedule', highlighting nearness to a planned timetable.

fairly prompt

Emphasizes quickness and being reasonably close to the expected time.

reasonably on time

Indicates that the timing was within an acceptable range of the expected time.

more or less on time

Suggests a degree of approximation to the expected time.

approximately on schedule

Focuses on the approximate nature of the timing, indicating it was close to the intended time.

FAQs

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

Use "quite in time" to express that something happened close to the required or expected moment. For instance, "The funds arrived "quite in time" to prevent the project from being delayed".

What's a similar expression to "quite in time"?

Alternatives include phrases like "just in the nick of time", which emphasizes a very close call, or "almost on schedule", which highlights near adherence to a plan.

Is there a difference between "just in time" and "quite in time"?

"Just in time" typically implies a last-minute arrival or occurrence. "Quite in time" suggests it happened close enough to the deadline without necessarily implying a crisis. The first is more dramatic.

Can "quite in time" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "quite in time" can be used in formal writing, especially when a subtle indication of near timeliness is needed. However, ensure the context aligns with the meaning, which is not quite as punctual or prepared as simply stating "on time".