Lesson 59 Time

ポイント
The word "time" can be used with various 前置詞 to express different concepts. However, these phrases are easy to mix up.

ダイアログ
Josh: Four projects are scheduled to finish next month. Project A will probably finish on time, Project B should finish in time, Project C will finish ahead of time.
Masahiro: How about Project D? Will it finish behind of time?

解説
Let’s look at each phrase in turn. “On time” means 予定通りの時刻, so Project A will finish on (or before) the scheduled day. Similarly, in time means 間に合う, so Project B should also finish on (or before) the scheduled day. “Ahead of time” means to be early, so Project C will finish before the scheduled day. If a project is late, we say it is “behind schedule”, not “behind time.” So Masahiro should instead say "Will Project D finish behind schedule?"