Professional word for being on time

Being on time is considered to be very courteous and proper. Because of this, folks who are consistently on time are considered to be very much appreciated and trusted by those around them. However, we may not be aware of appropriate terms that accurately describe these individuals.

What Do You Call Someone Who Is Always On Time?

There are many applicable terms to use when referring to someone who is always or consistently on time. However, for the purposes of this article, we will be discussing the following ten terms:

• Punctual
• Conscientious
• Dutiful
• Prompt
• Timely
• Reliable
• Meticulous
• Scrupulous
• On Schedule
• Sedulous

The preferred version that we will be highlighting in this article is “punctual”. This is because the term “punctual” most accurately depicts someone who is always showing up on time or perhaps even early. We should consider a “punctual” person as someone who respects time commitments or schedules.

Punctual

When we say that someone is “punctual”, we are often meaning to express that they are an individual who always shows up, does something, or completes something at the time that was originally agreed upon. This is why “punctual” most accurately describes a person who is consistently on time.

As we can see, Cambridge Dictionary defines “punctual” as arriving, doing something, or happening at the expected, correct time; not late.

Here are a few examples that highlight the use of this particular term:

• She was known by all of her teachers as being incredibly punctual and polite, which made her parents very proud.
• We are hoping for a very punctual start to the meeting tomorrow morning, so please show up early.
• He is a fairly punctual man, who generally tries to show up on time.

Conscientious

Another great term that can be used to describe someone who is always on time is “conscientious”. We can consider a “conscientious” person to be someone who is generally wanting or wishing to do what is right. Because of this, a “conscientious” person will consistently show up on time.

When looking at Cambridge Dictionary, we can see that “conscientious” is defined as feeling a moral responsibility to do your work carefully and to be fair to others. Therefore, a “conscientious” person will feel obligated to arrive on time, as to meet their commitments and remain fair to others.

The following examples showcase how we can use this term in a sentence:

• She was a conscientious worker, who always worked hard and showed up early.
• He is a very conscientious student, who ensures that he follows through with his commitments.
• Generally, he is conscientious and early to work, as to not delay his coworkers.

Dutiful

The term “dutiful” is another applicable term to use to refer to someone who is always on time. We should consider a “dutiful” person as someone who feels obligated to obediently fulfill their duties or commitments. Therefore, this is someone who shows up early or on time, especially for work.

Cambridge Dictionary defines “dutiful” as doing everything that you should do and getting something done because it is necessary or expected.

Some examples of how we can use this specific term are:

• He is a dutiful employee, and I never have to worry about being late or not finishing his tasks.
• She is a dutiful student that constantly arrives early, so that she may review the day’s lesson plan.
• At our company, we consider a dutiful employee to be one who shows up on time and is ready to work every morning.

Prompt

Another excellent term that we can choose to use to accurately describe someone who shows up on time is “prompt”. We can consider a “prompt” person to be someone who does things immediately or without delay. Therefore, this is someone who adheres to a schedule or commitment.

As shown in Cambridge Dictionary, the term “prompt” is defined as being done quickly and without delay, or acting quickly or arriving at the arranged time.

We can now look over these various examples that show how to appropriately use this term:

• Try and be prompt with your arrival this afternoon, as we have very limited time for the meeting.
• We consider her to be a very prompt employee, as she constantly shows up on time or before we need her to.
•  To catch your plane, you must be prompt with your arrival at the airport.

Timely

We can use the term “timely” similarly to our other alternative terms. This is because someone who is a “timely” individual will complete things sufficiently early or on time. A “timely” person also ensures things are completed at a favorable or agreed-upon time.

Looking at Cambridge Dictionary, we can see that “timely” is defined as happening at the best possible moment or given or made available at a suitable moment, especially now.

Here are a few examples that highlight the use of this specific term:

• He consistently arrives to work in a very timely manner, which we hope rubs off on his coworkers.
• Being such a timely gentleman, he made sure to give us all an advanced warning.
• She was always incredibly timely with her responses, never leaving us to wonder what she was thinking.

Reliable

We can consider the term “reliable” to adequately describe someone who always shows up on time. This is because “reliable” is defined as consistently good in quality or performance and able to be trusted. Therefore, we can trust that a “reliable” person will show up on time.

As we can see, Cambridge Dictionary defines “reliable” as someone or something that is reliable can be trusted or believed because he, she, or it works or behaves well in the way you expect.

We will now go over the following examples, each of which includes the use of this term:

• She is a very reliable individual that I can consistently trust to show up when I need her to.
• He was reliable and constant help around the office – I will miss having him as an employee.
• My boyfriend isn’t reliable and I can never trust that he will show up on time.

Meticulous

“Meticulous” is another term that we can choose to utilize when describing someone who is constantly on time. This is because a “meticulous” individual is someone who pays great attention to detail and adheres to their commitments or ensures the precision of their actions, work, etc.

According to Cambridge Dictionary, “meticulous” is defined as being very careful and with great attention to every detail or caring immensely over the importance of all details.

The following examples go over how to appropriately use this term in a sentence:

• Tom is very meticulous with his work travel, ensuring to leave early if he feels he may be late due to traffic.
• He is meticulous about both his appearance at work and the time he arrives in the morning.
• She is meticulous when it comes to keeping to her daily work schedule, as it ensures that she will be home in a timely fashion to spend the evening with her children.

Scrupulous

Another great alternative term that we can use is “scrupulous”. This is because we can think of a “scrupulous” individual as someone who is diligent, thorough and pays immense attention to the smallest details. This makes it so a “scrupulous” individual is very schedule or commitment oriented.

When looking at Cambridge Dictionary, we can see that “scrupulous” is defined as doing everything correctly or exactly as it should be done. Also, being extremely careful to do what is considered right or moral.

Here are a few examples that highlight how “scrupulous” can be used in a sentence:

• She is scrupulous when it comes to living by her schedule and constantly arriving at events slightly early.
• She is detail-oriented and scrupulous, which I believe makes her an excellent employee.
• He is consistently late to work, so I asked him to be stricter and more scrupulous with his schedule.

On-Schedule

“On-schedule” is another alternative term that we can use, that accurately describes someone who will always show up on time. Someone who is always “on schedule” is the type of individual who shows up on time, adheres to the plan, or arrives as expected.

Cambridge Dictionary defines “on-schedule” as not being early or late. Therefore, someone who is “on schedule” arrives exactly at the time they were requested to.

We can now go over these examples, that showcase how to properly use this term:

• Karen is the type of woman that we never have to worry about; she will always arrive on schedule.
• To be on schedule is an important aspect of working for this company and if you can’t comply with that, I don’t see you having much of a future with us.
• My sister is the type of individual who is always on schedule, to the point where it is almost annoying.

Sedulous

The last alternative that we will be going over in this article is “sedulous”. We can consider a “sedulous” person as being someone who shows immense dedication or diligence. Therefore, someone who is “sedulous” will often feel the need to be on time and never arrive late.

As we can see, Cambridge Dictionary defines “sedulous” as being careful and using a lot of effort.

Finally, we will go over our last few examples, all of which highlight the use of this term in a sentence:

• He wanted his bosses to know that he was a sedulous employee, so he showed up to work every day, ten minutes ahead of schedule.
• She was a sedulous individual by nature and would genuinely feel sick if she kept someone waiting.
• I am known for not being reliable or sedulous, so I have been actively working on changing that, by showing up to work early for the last few weeks.

You might also like: 10 Words For Someone Who Is Always Late

Изучающие английский язык, часто задаются вопросом: в чем разница между выражениями on time и in time.
Хотя оба они переводятся одним словом вовремя, тем не менее между ними есть ряд отличий.
Их схожесть обманчива, т.к. в английском языке они используются в разном контексте.
Давайте разбираться…

Выражение on time

On time — [ɒn ˈtaɪm] — [он тайм] – вовремя, в значении — в запланированное время

1. On time мы употребляем, если действие происходит по расписанию, по запланированному сценарию, в точное время.
On time обозначает пунктуальность, т.е. минута в минуту.

2. Когда мы говорим о времени запланированного события (8 o’clock, 10.20 o’clock).
Примеры:

1. The train arrived on time. — Поезд прибыл вовремя. (в точно установленное время, по расписанию);
2. I promise to get all my work done on time. — Обещаю выполнить всю работу вовремя. (в срок, к ранее оговоренному времени);
3. I’ll be waiting for you at 9 am. Please, be on time! — Я буду ждать тебя в 9 утра. (в точно назначенное время) Пожалуйста, не опаздывай!

Выражение in time

In time — [ɪn ˈtaɪm] — [ин таим] — вовремя, в значении — в нужное время

1. Мы употребляем in time, если нужно что-то сделать к определенному моменту, но мы не привязаны к точному времени.
Другими словами, in time — это возможность не опоздать, прибыть в последний момент, пока еще не поздно.

2. Или же говорим о чем-то, что сделали заранее или в последний момент, подчеркивая важность события.
Примеры:

1. You’re an angel, to get here in time for lunch. — Ты просто ангел, что успел к ланчу! (Молодец, что успел, но мог бы и не успеть и никаких серьезных последствий не было бы. Нет четкой привязки ко времени);
2. You’re just in time for the news. — Ты как раз успел к новостям;
3. I didn’t get out in time, but I’m going to tell Jerry something. — Я не убрался вовремя, но мне есть о чем поговорить с Джерри. (важно что-то сделать вовремя, в последний момент).

Говорим о обудущем, о вероятности…
Разница в употреблении оpportunity и possibility… 

Устойчивые выражения just in time / in the nick of time

Just in time — как раз вовремя

Если мы приходим куда-либо, или успели сделать что-либо заранее (перед назначенным временем), то употребляем выражение just in time в значении как раз вовремя.
Обратите внимание: мы не привязаны к точному времени.

1. They called me just in time. I was still at home. — Они позвонили мне как раз вовремя. Я был еще дома;
2. Wonderful news, just in time for Thanksgiving. — Замечательные новости, как раз к Дню Благодарения;
3. Yesterday I came just in time to greet the guests. — Вчера я пришел как раз вовремя, чтобы поприветствовать гостей.

In the nick of time — в последний момент

Если мы акцентируем, что нам повезло сделать что-либо в последний момент, то употребляем in the nick of time.
В переводе на русский оно обозначает — в последний момент.

1. Lucy and Bill caught me here just in the nick of time before leaving London. — Люси и Билл поймали меня здесь в самый последний момент перед отъездом из Лондона;
2. Those issues were resolved in the nick of time. — Эти вопросы были решены в самый последний момент;
3. And again, the police stopped them in the nick of time. — И снова полиция остановила их в самый последний момент.

Слова — маркеры

В данном случае маркеры — это слова, требующие употребления после себя только одного из предлогов.
Поэтому здесь не возникает сомнений какой из предлогов нужно выбрать со словом time.
Нужно просто заучить эти три выражения.

Right on time

За словом right (как раз, точно) всегда следует только — on time.
Например:

1. She always pays right on time. — Она всегда платит вовремя (точно по времени);
2. We’ll be right on time. — Мы будем как раз вовремя;
3. Plane landed right on time. — Самолет приземлился точно по расписанию;
4. Well, lucky for me, I’m right on time. — К счастью для меня, я пришел точно в срок;
5. The bakery opened right on time, like always. — Как всегда, пекарня открылась вовремя (точно, минута в минуту).

In time for…

Всегда используем выражение in time, если после time идет предлог for.
Например:

1. You’re just in time for breakfast. — Ты как раз вовремя на завтрак;
2. We arrived just in time for the opening ceremony. — Мы прибыли как раз вовремя к церемонии открытия;
3. I’ll be there in time for the lessons. — Я буду там во время занятий;
4. They come full circle just in time for the final score. — Они делают полный круг и успевают (вовремя) к финальным результатам;
5. Well, it looks like I’m just in time for fireworks. — Ага, похоже, я как раз подоспел к фейерверку.

In time to… (do something)

Так же употребляем словосочетание in time, если за ним следует выражение to… (do something — делать что-то): to make, to see, to help, to support…
Например:

1. I can get home in time to do what’s most important to me. — Я могу вернуться домой вовремя, чтобы сделать то, что для меня наиболее важно;
2. You’re just in time to take a picture with Joe. — Ты как раз вовремя, чтобы сфотографироваться с Джо;
3. I guess I’m just in time to help with your suitcase. — Похоже, я как раз вовремя, чтобы помочь вам закрыть чемодан.

Теперь вы видите насколько важно употреблять правильные предлоги в английском.
Если разница в выражениях on time и in time не столь велика и вас поймут, то в других случаях это может стать проблемой…