Re: in time and on time

Originally Posted by
Joern Matthias
1) I want to be at work on time. (meaning: punctually, at the planned time, neither late nor early)

2) I want to be at work in time. (meaning: with enough time to spare before my work starts as planned or arranged)
This does not sound natural to me.
3) I want to be at work in time because I intend to have a cup of coffee there before my shift starts.
No. We'd probably use 'early' instead of 'in time', or: "I want to be at work in time to have a cup of coffee there before my shift starts." 5
Context is always important; labelling is rarely important.