'In a week' or 'In a week's time's?

Question

Here's the context:1. I will call you in a week.2. I will call you in a week's time.My understanding: the former implies 'after a week,' thus, specifying a time point. The latter implies any time in the up coming 7 days, thus, specifying a time period. Correct me if I am wrong.Please answer with a rationale. Thanks.

Clive · Accepted Answer

1. I will call you in a week.

2. I will call you in a week's time.

My understanding: the former implies 'after a week,' thus, specifying a time point. Yes

The latter implies any time in the up coming 7 days, thus, specifying a time period. No. This means the same as the above, ie after a week. Note that neither expression is precise. I might call you a bit sooner, or a bit later, than in 7 days.

This can all be a bit tricky. Here are some things we commonly say.

I'll call you next week. ie sometime in the week beginning next Monday.

I'll call you in the next week. ie sometime in the next 7 days. This is a bit confusing even for native speakers, so ask for clarification if it's important.

Clive

'In a week' or 'In a week's time's?

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