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Marold Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Within

"Within five minutes, he was back in the kitchen."

I don't understand exactly the usage of word within. What does it mean in this situation?

I perceive the meaning same as in this sentence: "In five minutes, he was back in the kitchen."

Thank you in advance.
  

Top answer

Within five minutes, he was back in the kitchen. This sounds to me like the exact returning time was not known. He could have returned at any time within the five-minute period.

— RandomGuy

  • Within five minutes, he was back in the kitchen.
  • This sounds to me like the exact returning time was not known.
  • He could have returned at any time within the five-minute period.
  • In five minutes, he was back in the kitchen.
  • This sounds like he returned once five minutes had passed.
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3 Answers
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Within five minutes, he was back in the kitchen.

This sounds to me like the exact returning time was not known. He could have returned at any time within the five-minute period.

In five minutes, he was back in the kitchen.

This sounds like he returned once five minutes had passed.
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It's an approximation, "less than five minutes".
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Thank you both for a clear and coherent explanation Emotion: smile
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