[General] I want to see what the world will be like in 20 years.

[jiaruchan]

I want to see what the world will be like in 20 years.


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The above is what a Chinese English media reporter says in his coverage about an event that features future world.

As we watched, one of my classmates suggested that the reporter should have said ' I want to see what the world will be in 20 years' time' .

His argument is what the reporter said sounds like he will do something in 20 years. Is he right?

Thank you.

 

[billmcd]

"Is he right"about he will do something? Not really, although your friend's alternative is OK. "Like" in the reporter's comment uses "like" in the sense of appearance or condition. Similar, for example, to the statement, "John looks like he has gained weight".

 

[jiaruchan]

"Is he right"about he will do something? Not really, although your friend's alternative is OK. "Like" in the reporter's comment uses "like" in the sense of appearance or condition. Similar, for example, to the statement, "John looks like he has gained weight".

Thank you.

My question was mainly on the difference between ''in 20 years'' and '' in 20 years' time'' .

The reporter said , ' I want to see what the world will be like IN 2O YEARS.' My classmate said he would like to use IN 20 YEARS' TIME to replace IN 20 YEARS, because the reporter's words sound that he does not want to see now, but in 20 years.
What do you think of the comment on the part of my classmate?

 

[billmcd]

The word "time" is redundant with "20 year's". In any case, both versions mean that after a period of 20 years has elapsed, the reporter wants to see the condition of the world.