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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Preposition "in" indicating time
Hello, everyone.
thank you in advance for helping me with this.
When used before time period, intuitionally, I think it means within the period.
but, in the dictionary, i also get
4come back in one year
3in the morning; I'll be back in a week. thus, I am confused.
when would "in" mean at(time point) or after or within?
Suppose it is 12 o'clock now.
If i hear someone say "I will be there in 3 hours, meet me there!"
I can't tell if he would arrived
within 3 hours: that means I should get there right now, and wait till 3 o'clock.
or after 3 hours: that means I can get there at 3 o'clock, and wait for him.
or may it just mean around 3 o'clock? I can get there at 2:30, wait till 3:30.
thank you in advance for helping me with this.
When used before time period, intuitionally, I think it means within the period.
but, in the dictionary, i also get
4
3
when would "in" mean at(time point) or after or within?
Suppose it is 12 o'clock now.
If i hear someone say "I will be there in 3 hours, meet me there!"
I can't tell if he would arrived
within 3 hours: that means I should get there right now, and wait till 3 o'clock.
or after 3 hours: that means I can get there at 3 o'clock, and wait for him.
or may it just mean around 3 o'clock? I can get there at 2:30, wait till 3:30.
Top answer
-- You will often have to use common sense or context, or ask the other speaker for confirmation. Suppose it is 12 o'clock now. -- No, that's not commonsensical.
- -- You will often have to use common sense or context, or ask the other speaker for confirmation.
- Suppose it is 12 o'clock now.
- -- No, that's not commonsensical.
- The speaker means that he will arrive at 3 pm or somewhat before.
- Get there at 2:30 and wait.
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2 Answers
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when would "in" mean at(time point) or after or within?-- You will often have to use common sense or context, or ask the other speaker for confirmation.
Suppose it is 12 o'clock now.
If i hear someone say "I will be there in 3 hours, meet me there!"
I can't tell if he would arrived within 3 hours: that means I should get there right now, and wait till 3 o'clock.
when would "in" mean at(time point) or after or within?-- You will often have to use common sense or context, or ask the other speaker for confirmation.
Suppose it is 12 o'clock now.
If i hear someone say "I will be there in 3 hours, meet me there!"
I can't tell if he would arrived within 3 hours: that means I should get there right now, and wait till 3 o'clock.
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