VOA一分鐘英語(yǔ)：On time 和 in time “按時(shí)” 還是 “及時(shí)”？

搭配 “on time” 和 “in time” 都可以用來(lái)描述事情發(fā)生的時(shí)間與日程、安排之間的聯(lián)系。它們當(dāng)中一個(gè)表示 “按時(shí)”，另一個(gè)則表示 “及時(shí)” —— 你能分清嗎？比如，“火車(chē)沒(méi)有準(zhǔn)時(shí)到站” 中的 “準(zhǔn)時(shí)” 用哪個(gè)更恰當(dāng)？
 
Let's look at the difference between on time and in time. They often mean the same, but sometimes they are different.
On time means 'according to a schedule or a deadline'.
If I don't finish my work on time, my boss will be angry.
My train is never on time.
In time means 'not too late to be successful'.
I missed my deadline, but I still got the presentation finished in time for the meeting.
My train was late, but it still arrived in time for me to get to work early.
Neither my presentation nor my train were on time – but they were in time for me to do what I needed to do.
It's good to be on time; it's even more important to be in time!
The difference is down to how flexible your schedule is – but be careful – sometimes, if you're not on time, you won't be in time, either!
 
用法總結(jié)
1 “On time” 用來(lái)談?wù)?“按照某個(gè)設(shè)定好的計(jì)劃、時(shí)刻表或者最終期限做某事”，意思是 “按時(shí)，準(zhǔn)時(shí)”。 
If I don't finish my work on time, my boss will be angry.
My train is never on time.
 
2 “In time” 用來(lái)談?wù)?“沒(méi)有因?yàn)樘t而導(dǎo)致事情無(wú)法順利進(jìn)行”，意思是 “及時(shí)”。
I missed my deadline, but I still got the presentation finished in time for the meeting.
My train was late, but it still arrived in time for me to get to work early.
 
3 如果條件和日程安排相對(duì)寬松，那么有時(shí)，雖然沒(méi)有做到 “on time（準(zhǔn)時(shí)）”，但由于做到了 “in time（及時(shí)）”，事情還是可以順利進(jìn)行。
Neither my presentation nor my train were on time – but they were in time for me to do what I needed to do.
 
4 但有時(shí)，比如在時(shí)間安排很緊的情況下，如果無(wú)法做到 “on time（準(zhǔn)時(shí)）”，那么也就沒(méi)辦法做到 “in time（及時(shí)）”。
Sometimes, if you're not on time, you won't be in time either!