Representing when, where, how and why
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Students' problems | page 3 of 12 |
Using in as a time preposition
In time expressions of the type in a few years' time, in means "after". Such expressions therefore always refer to a point of time in the future. Some students, however, use them incorrectly to refer to a period of time:
I became the owner of a big clothing factory and I made a lot of money in a few years' time. (TeleNex Students)
Since the writer clearly means that they made a lot of money over a period of a few years, the word time should be omitted:
I became the owner of a big clothing factory and I made a lot of money in a few years.
Writers actually have a choice when referring to a point of time in the future. They can use a time expression either with or without time:
I hope in a few years' time I shall see no-one on the street wearing fur.
(TeleNex Students)She is a schoolgirl and is going to New York for further study in a few months. (TeleNex Students)
For further information about using in as a time preposition, see 
Representing when, where, how and why: Representing when (p 5).
Introduction
Using in as a time preposition
