on schedule

Meaning

This expression means that something is progressing or happening at the planned or expected time, without any delays. It is commonly used in daily life and work contexts when discussing projects, travel, or appointments.

Examples

• Despite the heavy rain, the construction of the new community center is still on schedule.

  Despite the heavy rain, the construction of the new community center is still on schedule.

• Our flight arrived exactly on schedule, which was a pleasant surprise.

  Our flight arrived exactly on schedule, which was a pleasant surprise.

• If we want to finish this project on schedule, we need to work faster.

  If we want to finish this project on schedule, we need to work faster.

• The train is running on schedule today, so we won't be late for the meeting.

  The train is running on schedule today, so we won't be late for the meeting.

• She managed to keep the meeting on schedule despite the long discussion.

  She managed to keep the meeting on schedule despite the long discussion.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The train arrived in schedule.

  ✓ The train arrived on schedule.

  Learners often use the preposition 'in' or 'at' instead of 'on'. The correct preposition for this idiom is always 'on'.

• ✗ We need to finish this according to the schedule.

  ✓ We need to finish this on schedule.

  While 'according to the schedule' is grammatically correct, 'on schedule' is much more natural and common when talking about staying on track.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The renovation is going well and we are still ___.

  💡 at the planned time

  Show answer

  on schedule

• Please make sure the deliveries arrive ___.

  💡 not late

  Show answer

  on schedule