I'll see you after a week?

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keannu

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Why doens't after work in the below? My grammar book says only in is the answer, but I think after also works.

ex) I'll see you (in, after) a week.
 

SoothingDave

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"After" may work logically, but that is not how people actually talk. They say "in a week."
 

Khosro

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SoothingDave

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That's possible, but more likely you would hear "in nine days."
 

Khosro

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That's possible, but more likely you would hear "in nine days."

I think (perhaps I'd better say "thought") that "in 9 days" means: tomorrow or the day after tomorrow or on the third day or on the 8'th day or on the 9'th day.

And I think that "after 9 days" means: not tomorrow or the day after tomorrow or ... or on the 9'th day, but on the 10'th day.

Am I wrong SoothingDave?
 

SoothingDave

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Yes, you are wrong.

A doctor might say "In 9 days, you can remove the bandage." Or he might say "After 9 days, you can remove the bandage."

Either way he does not mean to do it tomorrow. It means wait until 9 days are over.

What you were describing is "in (or within) the next 9 days." Say you need to go get your driver's license renewed before it expires. You might tell someone you need to do this in the next 9 days.
 

keannu

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I think (perhaps I'd better say "thought") that "in 9 days" means: tomorrow or the day after tomorrow or on the third day or on the 8'th day or on the 9'th day.

And I think that "after 9 days" means: not tomorrow or the day after tomorrow or ... or on the 9'th day, but on the 10'th day.

Am I wrong SoothingDave?

It's really important to know "in" is the oppsite of "within" for future tense, otherwise it would cause a lot of confusion. A lot of students make the same mistake as you do in Korea.
 
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