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Angliholic Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

in/after 10 years

When I moved back home after/in 10 years, all the streets and buildings looked very unfamiliar.

When I moved back home 10 years later, all the streets nd buildings looked very unfamiliar.

Which should I pick to fit in the above context, after/in 10 years or 10 years later, and why? Thanks.
  

Top answer

" "in ten years" is looking forward. I'm going to Seattle, but I will move back East in ten years - that's 10 years from now. I moved to Seattle, but I moved back East after ten years - that's now in the past, and I moved back 10 years after moving out there.

— BarbaraPA

  • " "in ten years" is looking forward.
  • I'm going to Seattle, but I will move back East in ten years - that's 10 years from now.
  • I moved to Seattle, but I moved back East after ten years - that's now in the past, and I moved back 10 years after moving out there.
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7 Answers
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Hi,

Use "after."

"in ten years" is looking forward.

I'm going to Seattle, but I will move back East in ten years - that's 10 years from now.

I moved to Seattle, but I moved back East after ten years - that's now in the past, and I moved back 10 years after moving out there.
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"in ten years" is looking forward.

This is very interesting to me. In some contexts, in X years indicates past. For example,

I've not seen him in 10 years.

Please correct me if I'm wrong

Thanks!
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No, you're right, in that context in=for.
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Thanks, Marius Hancu!
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Grammar GeekHi,

Use "after."

"in ten years" is looking forward.

I'm going to Seattle, but I will move back East in ten years - that's 10 years from now.

I moved to Seattle, but I moved back East after ten years - that's now in the past, and I moved back 10 years after moving out there.

Thanks, GG.

What abo
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Later is fine. I was only differentiating between "in" and "after"
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