time preposition in

[bosun]

Hellp!

I am not sure when you exactly use time preposition in. Also, it is very confusing for me to distinguish when to use after or in. can anybody help me?

for example,

We might be able to work out the problems in a few days.
Wemight be able to work out the problems after a couple of days.

which one sounds better and why?
Thanks for any answers regarding this question.

[mykwyner]

They are slightly different.

"...in a few days" means no more than a few days.

"...after a couple of days" means it will take at least a couple of days.

[bosun]

what do you mean exactly? could you be more specific?
also, i wonder if i can use in in the past tense or after in the present tense.
for example,

He came home in a couple of days. or
He will be home after a coupld of days.

I would appreciate whatever answer you provide.

[bosun]

what do you mean exactly? could you be more specific?
also, i wonder if i can use in in the past tense or after in the present tense.
for example,
He came home in a couple of days. or
He will be home after a coupld of days.
I would appreciate whatever answer you provide.

[mykwyner]

I wouldn't use in for the past because in means at some time inside of a particular time period. Since it is the past, you know the exact time he came back.

He will come home in a couple of days. (future)
He came home after a couple of days. (past)
He came home in a couple of days. (past)
He is home after a couple of days. (present)
He will be home after a couple of days. (future)
He will be home in a couple of days. (future)
He was home in a couple of days. (past)
He was home after a couple of days. (past)

The real difference, as I said earlier, between in and after in these sentences is when, during that period of a couple of days, did he come home.

Note: I was unable to use in a couple of days in the present tense.

[bosun]

If i cannot use in in the past tense, your exmples.(He came home in a couple of days /he was home in a couple of days. ) are wrong????
Again, looking forward to seeing your response. Thanks!

[mykwyner]

No, came and was are past tense forms.

[dihen]

No, came and was are past tense forms.

Do you mean "No, it's wrong." or "No it's not wrong."?