in/after 10 years

Share on Facebook

Angliholic

#439045 Mon, 05 Nov 07 02:59 PM

When I moved back home after/in 10 years, all the streets and buildings looked very unfamiliar.

When I moved back home 10 years later, all the streets nd buildings looked very unfamiliar.

Which should I pick to fit in the above context, after/in 10 years or 10 years later, and why? Thanks.

Angliholic

Joined on Wed, Feb 14 2007

SomewhereinFormosa

Veteran Member (5,511)

Without true love, life is meaningless and worthless since our physical world is nothing but a dream. ~~Angliholic~~簡瑞達

Grammar Geek

#439052 Mon, 05 Nov 07 03:25 PM

Hi,

Use "after."

"in ten years" is looking forward.

I'm going to Seattle, but I will move back East in ten years - that's 10 years from now.

I moved to Seattle, but I moved back East after ten years - that's now in the past, and I moved back 10 years after moving out there.

Grammar Geek

Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006

Pennsylvania, USA

Veteran Member (15,989)

Barbara, who answers in American English.

New2grammar

#439071 Mon, 05 Nov 07 05:18 PM

"in ten years" is looking forward.

This is very interesting to me. In some contexts, in X years indicates past. For example,

I've not seen him in 10 years.

Please correct me if I'm wrong

Thanks!

New2grammar

Joined on Tue, Nov 21 2006

Veteran Member (7,676)

Who wants to go sailing around the world with me?

Marius Hancu

#439087 Mon, 05 Nov 07 05:45 PM

No, you're right, in that context in=for.

Marius Hancu

Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006

Montreal, Canada

Veteran Member (11,673)

New2grammar

#439091 Mon, 05 Nov 07 05:49 PM

Thanks, Marius Hancu!

New2grammar

Angliholic

#439274 Tue, 06 Nov 07 12:28 AM

Grammar Geek wrote:

Hi,

Use "after."

"in ten years" is looking forward.

I'm going to Seattle, but I will move back East in ten years - that's 10 years from now.

I moved to Seattle, but I moved back East after ten years - that's now in the past, and I moved back 10 years after moving out there.