"In + duration" to talk about past events

Question

The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English explains that "in followed by a time period is more often used to talk about future events • He'll be here in a few minutes."

Can't we use "in" to talk about the durations of events that were already finished or completed?
Is the following expression? "We solved the problem in three hours."

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Yes, no problem.

CalifJim · Answer

SnappyCan't we use "in" to talk about the durations of events that were already finished or completed?
Is the following expression? "We solved the problem in three hours."

Sure. You can use in like that in the past. It is a bit different, though.

In the first case (He'll be here in a few minutes), his being here does not take place during the few minutes, but at the end of a few minutes. On the other hand, in the second case (We solved the problem in three hours), our solving the problem does take place during the three hours, and not at the end of three hours.

In the first case we say how long we have to wait before he is here.
In the second case we say how long we worked to solve the problem.

To use that expression in the same way in the past, with "in" meaning "at the end of" you typically use would instead of will.

They said he would arrive in a few minutes.

Or was/were going to instead of is/are going to.

They said he was going to arrive in a few minutes.

CJ

Snappy · Answer

CalifJim, thank you for your useful information. I understood.

"In + duration" to talk about past events

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