Expressing timeliness in French - late/early/on time - general

In French, there are several expressions using the verb "être" when you wish to talk about timeliness.

How to use 'être' to express timeliness in French 

Look at these sentences:

Je suis désolé d'être en retard.I'm sorry I'm late.

Vous êtes vraiment en avance !You are really early!

Je ne suis jamais à l'heure !I am never on time!
 

Notice that to say that you are late/early/on time in French, you use the expressions:

(être) en retard

(être) en avance

(être) à l'heure 

See also Expressing timeliness in French - late/early - precise

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Learn more about these related French grammar topics

Examples and resources

Je ne suis jamais à l'heure !I am never on time!
Ne venez pas en avance, s'il-vous-plaît !Don't come early, please!
Tu étais en retard ce matin !You were late this morning!
Je suis désolé d'être en retard.I'm sorry I'm late.
Nous voulons vraiment arriver à l'heure.We really want to arrive on time.
Stéphane est arrivé à l'heure à l'école.Stéphane arrived on time to school.
Julie arrive en retard tous les jours.Julie arrives late every day.
La réunion a commencé en avance.The meeting started early.
Vous êtes vraiment en avance !You are really early!
I'll be right with you...