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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
"in" or "after"
Can I say "I'll call you after 5 minutes" rather than "I'll call you in 5 minutes"?
Top answer
After is not wrong, but in is the common and natural word.
- After is not wrong, but in is the common and natural word.
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8 Answers
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So.. is 'in' used as a meaning of 'after'?
I am curious because it sounds like 'within' to me.
I am curious because it sounds like 'within' to me.
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If at 8pm you tell me I'll call you in 5 minutes,
I'll expect you to call at 8:05 approximately.
If at 8pm you tell me I'll call you in the next 5 minutes,
I'll expect you to call sometime between 8 and 8:05, approximately.
I'll expect you to call at 8:05 approximately.
If at 8pm you tell me I'll call you in the next 5 minutes,
I'll expect you to call sometime between 8 and 8:05, approximately.
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Bella yuSo.. is 'in' used as a meaning of 'after'?I am curious because it sounds like 'within' to me.in [amount of time] ~ at the end of [amount of time] for actions that take place at a "point in time".
in [amount of time] ~ within [amount of time] for activities that require a "period of time".
I'll meet you there in 10 minutes
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I'll call you within 5 minutes??
OK,
Stresses more that 5 minutes is the time limit.
OK,
Stresses more that 5 minutes is the time limit.
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I'll call you in about 5 minutes??
Fine.
But even without saying 'about', such expressions are usually approximate.
eg If I say I'll call you in 5 minutes, I won't sit and look at the seconds hand on my watch.
Fine.
But even without saying 'about', such expressions are usually approximate.
eg If I say I'll call you in 5 minutes, I won't sit and look at the seconds hand on my watch.
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