the difference between “in two years” and “in two years’ time”

[Alice Chu]

Please tell me the difference between “in two years” and “in two years’ time”.

 

[Rover_KE]

Please write a full sentence containing one of those phrases.

 

[Alice Chu]

1. In two years’ time, I will be studying in Cambridge.
Please tell me the meaning of the sentence.

2. In two years’ time, I will study in Cambridge.
“In two years’ time” means “at the end of two years” or “two years from now”.

3. In two years’ time, I will still be studying in Cambridge.
“In two years’ time” means “at the end of two years” or “two years from now”.
The sentence means I am studying in Cambridge and will continue studying until the end of two years.

Does the phrase “in two years” have the following two meanings?
Can it be replaced by “in two years’ time”?
1. In two years, he wrote three novels.
“In two years” means “within two years” and we don’t know when it started and ended.

2. In two years, he will write another novel.
“In two years” means “at the end of two years” or “two years from now”.

 

[5jj]

1. In two years’ time, I will be studying in Cambridge.
Please tell me the meaning of the sentence.

Did you not understand my response to a similar question here?

 

[Alice Chu]

I’m sorry, but I still don’t understand it.
Do the two phrases have the same uses and meanings?
Thank you very much for your help and patience.

 

[5jj]

1. In two years’ time, I will be studying in Cambridge.
Two years from now I will be able to say "I am studying in/at Cambridge".
(at Cambridge - the university; in Cambridge - the town)

2. In two years’ time, I will study in Cambridge.
“In two years’ time” means “at the end of two years” or “two years from now”.
Yes.

3. In two years’ time, I will still be studying in Cambridge.
“In two years’ time” means “at the end of two years” or “two years from now”.
The sentence means I am studying in Cambridge and will continue studying until the end of two years.
You are not necessarily studying there yet.

Does the phrase “in two years” have the following two meanings?

3. In two years, he wrote three novels.
“In two years” means “within two years” and we don’t know when it started and ended.
Yes. It cannot be replaced by 'in two years' time'.

2. In two years, he will write another novel.
“In two years” means “at the end of two years” or “two years from now”.
Probably. You'd have to change it to 'in two years' time' to be certain of this meaning. As it stands, it could mean 'within two years'.

 

[Alice Chu]

1. “In two years’ time” doesn’t mean “within two years”.
Is my understanding correct?

2. The following answers to my questions come from emsr2d2.
7) In three years' time, I will have graduated from university.
In three years, I will graduate from university.
→ Please tell me the difference between the two sentences.
In the first, you will graduate any time from tomorrow to 3 June 2024 (the last day before "in three years' time" ends).
In the second, you will graduate at some point in 2024.

3. The following information comes from
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil...rmediate/future-continuous-and-future-perfect

1- In five years' time, many projects will be carried out.
2- In five years' time, many projects will have been carried out.
In 1, the projects won't necessarily be finished in five years' time.
In 2, the projects will have already been finished by then.

 

[5jj]

1. “In two years’ time” doesn’t mean “within two years”.
Is my understanding correct?

It usually means 'two years from now' as you have been told.

2The following answers to my questions come from emsr2d2

So have you questions about them? If so, it would be better to ask them in the original thread.