Page 619 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

b clock times
When we talk about clock times, time is countable. Six o'clock would be a good time to meet.
She phoned me at various times yesterday.
The is dropped in the expression it's time. It's time to stop. (NOT It's the tirne ttl Sttlt'.)
2 without preposition
Prepositions are often dropped before some common expressions with time. He's busy. Why don't you come another time?
(More natural than ... at another time.) What time does the match start?
(More natural than At what time ...?) You won't fool me this time.
In relative structures after time, that is often used instead of when in an informal style (or dropped).
Do you remember the time (that) Freddy pretended to be a ghost? You can come up and see me any time (that) you like.
The first time (that) I saw her, my heart stopped.
For similar structures with other time words, and with place, lIIay and reason, see 498.6.
3 on time and in time
On time means 'at the planned time', 'neither late nor early'. The opposite is 'early' or 'late'. It is often used to refer to timetabled events.
Only one ofthe last six trains has been on time. (NOT •.. in time.)
Peter wants the discussion to start exactly on time. (NOT ••• in time.)
In time means 'with enough time to spare', 'before the last moment'. The opposite is too late.
Wearrivedintimetogetgoodseats.(NOT... 1mtimettlgetgtJtldsetlts.) He would have died ifthey hadn't got him to hospital in time. (NOT •••-gttt
him ttl hMfJital tin time.)
I nearly drove into the car in front, but I stopped just in time.
For structures after It's time, see 306.
For ways or telling the time, see 579.
For by tile time, see 117.
For tenses with tlzis is tllejirst time ..., t!lis is tile last time •.• and similar structures, see 591.
594 tonight
Tonight refers to the present or coming night, not to the past night (last night). Compare:
I had a terrible dream last night. (NOT ,f had tl terrible tbeam ttlllight.) I hope I sleep better tonight.
tonight 594
page 587