I'll see you after a week?

[keannu]

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]

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

 

[Khosro]

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

what about "after 9 days"?

 

[SoothingDave]

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

 

[Khosro]

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]

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]

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.