In Time To – Meaning and Examples

Have you ever rushed to the airport and caught your flight just before the gate closed? Or finished a report minutes before your boss asked for it? In English, you can say you did it in time to meet the deadline, catch the bus, or join the meeting. This practical phrase describes acting quickly enough to avoid missing something important.

What Does “In Time To” Mean?

“In time to” means early enough or soon enough to do something before it’s too late. It always links two events: the first action happens with just enough time to allow the second one to occur. Think of it like sliding through a closing door—barely, but successfully.

When to Use It

Use “in time to” in everyday, urgent, or reflective situations:
• When avoiding a missed opportunity: “She arrived in time to see the sunrise.”
• In work or school contexts: “I submitted the form in time to qualify for the scholarship.”
• When describing narrow successes: “He woke up in time to stop the alarm from waking the baby.”
It’s neutral—perfect for speaking, writing, and storytelling. Avoid it in very formal reports, but it’s ideal for real-life English.

Example Sentences

  • We got to the station in time to catch the last train.
  • She studied all night and finished in time to sleep before the exam.
  • He wasn’t in time to save the file—but luckily, it auto-saved!
  • Call now—in time to get 20% off!

Mini Dialogue

Alex: “Did you send the contract?”

Jamie: “Yes! I emailed it in time to meet the 5 p.m. deadline.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t confuse “in time to” with “on time.” “On time” means arriving exactly when scheduled (“The train was on time”). “In time to” means acting quickly enough to do something before it’s too late. Also, always follow “in time to” with a base verb (e.g., “in time to leave,” not “in time for leave”).

❌ Don’t say: “I was in time for catch the bus.”
✅ Do say: “I was in time to catch the bus.”
✅ Do say: “We weren’t in time to stop the mistake.”

Practice Tip

Next time you barely make a deadline or catch an event, say: “I did it in time to ______.” For example: “I woke up in time to walk the dog” or “She applied in time to get the discount.” Using the phrase in real close calls builds natural fluency.

Final Note

Now you can use “in time to” to describe those satisfying moments when you just barely make it—with precision and relief. It’s a phrase full of real-life urgency and success, used daily by native speakers. Keep listening for it in news, stories, and daily updates. You’re not just learning English—you’re learning how people celebrate beating the clock. Keep going—you’ve got this!

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