Кабината

On time / in time; At the end / in the end

English learners often struggle with the use of prepositions in expressions such as: On time / in time; At the end / in the end. This guide clarifies the…

English learners often struggle with the use of prepositions in expressions such as: On time / in time; At the end / in the end;

On time – means exactly on time, not later. The event happens at the precisely planned time.

The 11.45 train left ON TIME. (= IT LEFT AT 11.45)

The train at 11.45 left on time. (at 11.45)

Please, be there ON TIME. (= don't be late / be there at 7.30)

In time – soon enough to do something;

Will you be at home IN TIME for dinner? (= soon enough for dinner);

However: if we add 'just', the meaning is again 'exactly on time'

We got to the station JUST IN TIME to catch the train.

At the end (of something) – the time when something finishes.

at the end of the month / at the end of the film / at the end of January;

I'm going away at the end of January.

The opposite of 'at the end' is 'at the beginning' (The opposite expression of 'at the end' is 'at the beginning');

at the beginning of the concert / of January;

In the end = finally – we use it when saying what the final result of a particular situation was;

Tom couldn't decide where to go for his holidays. He decided to go to Italy in the end.

Learning English? Continue with a teacher

Online English course at Kabinata: live group lessons, a platform with AI speaking practice 24/7 and a certificate for every completed level. For employed people in Bulgaria the course is free with a training voucher from the Employment Agency.

English course · How to apply for a voucher

Watch the free video lesson

Continue with the free video course:

Английски за начинаещи 🇬🇧 Урок 1: The English Alphabet & Numbers

Related articles

  • Do We Sometimes Know What We're Saying – Part Three

    Here is the remaining part of the so-called 'Romantic Comedy' or 'Comedy of Errors', containing the most interesting statements resulting from small…

  • Crazy English

    So, you thought you were tough enough to try to learn English? This little treatise on the lovely language we share is only for the brave. It was passed…

  • Metallica: Nothing Else Matters – Lyrics and Translation

    One of Metallica's most beloved songs, Nothing Else Matters, is not just a song but true poetry. Read the lyrics and Bulgarian translation here.

  • A Joke :)

    Time to lighten up a bit... A police officer in a small town stopped a motorist who was speeding down Main Street. 'But officer,' the man began, 'I can…

In other languages: Български · Deutsch · Español