Dear experts,

Many thanks for the previous.

How would you differentiate between IN TIME AND ON TIME as in:

The train was 20 minutes late. I got to the station just before it departed. I wasn't on time, but I was in time!

I entered the business meeting on time at 3pm - they were just about to start.

Best regards,
Yuri

P.S. Sorry I seem to have lost the source for GIVE SOMEONE THE BIG EYE.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Rachel, Moderator,

"To be on time" means to do something at the arranged or scheduled time. So if you are on time for a class, a doctor's appointment, or a meeting, for example, it means that you arrive at or even before the time that has been set.

Interestingly, about the method of transportation – usually the train or plane is "on time" or not; the passenger is not said to be "on time." Your sentence would be more natural like this:

"¢ The train was 20 minutes late. I was late, too, so I got to the station in time to get on.

Another example would be:

"¢ I arrived at the airport just in time to make my flight, not a moment to spare. The flight left right on time.
_______

"To be in time" means to arrive before it is too late to do something, not necessarily scheduled:

"¢ If you leave your office a little early today, you'll get here in time to take pictures before it gets dark.

"¢ Oh! I really drove fast! I'm sorry I didn't get here in time to see the baby!

"¢ Make plane reservations right away. Grandpa is really sick. I hope we get there in time. He wants to see us again.

Rachel