In or After?
Here are my examples :

Conversation 1

(A and B are talking on the phone.)

A : Hey. Where are you now? I'm getting tired of waiting !

B : I'm so sorry. I'm on my way. I will be there in 10 minutes.

Does this mean that it will take at maximum 10 minutes for B to get to the place where A is waiting, and B can be there earlier than 10 minutes has passed ?

Why is it wrong to say "after 10 minutes" ?

Conversation 2

(A and B are talking on the phone.)

A : What are you doing now?
B : I'm sorry. I'm so sleepy right now. Can you call me again after an hour?
A : Sure. I'll call you later then.

This means that A can call B again any time after an hour has passed, right?

Same question : Why is it wrong to say "in an hour"?

The English-Korean time translation for the preposition "in" and "after" is so subtle.
Actually, it's literally one-sided for the preposition "after."

So, sometimes it's very confusing which preposition should be properly used to mention later time.

I need your help !
Thanks in advance !

Question

In or After?
Here are my examples :

Conversation 1

(A and B are talking on the phone.)

A : Hey. Where are you now? I'm getting tired of waiting !

B : I'm so sorry. I'm on my way. I will be there in 10 minutes.

Does this mean that it will take at maximum 10 minutes for B to get to the place where A is waiting, and B can be there earlier than 10 minutes has passed ?

Why is it wrong to say "after 10 minutes" ?

Conversation 2

(A and B are talking on the phone.)

A : What are you doing now?
B : I'm sorry. I'm so sleepy right now. Can you call me again after an hour?
A : Sure. I'll call you later then.

This means that A can call B again any time after an hour has passed, right?

Same question : Why is it wrong to say "in an hour"?

The English-Korean time translation for the preposition "in" and "after" is so subtle.
Actually, it's literally one-sided for the preposition "after."

So, sometimes it's very confusing which preposition should be properly used to mention later time.

I need your help !
Thanks in advance !

Answer

You answered your own questions. But the thing is, the use depends on what you really mean?
For example. If I meant that I will be there in "exactly" 10 minutes. It's more appropriate to say in 10 minutes. It's actually all about what you intend.

"It's 10:00 am, I'll get back to you after an hour." - whoever says this wants a safer commitment. That anytime after an hour approximately, so it can be 11:01am or 11:12am... anytime that's near after an hour.

You observed well, I just supported your logic. :)

Answer

I see. It's clearly understood ! Thanks a lot ! :)

Answer

At 10am, or a little after. Or you could say 'Call me at 10am (exactly) or  'Call me after 10am' - at or (a little) after. Realistically, if you want someone to wait until 10am to call you, you don't mean it is OK for them to call you at 12pm, right?

Answer

I'm a bit confused.
So, if I say, "call me in an hour" at 9:00 am, when can they call me?

Answer

You can't say 'after an hour' at all.

Answers · 8

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