Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Junkomama]

Hello, teachers!

Does "in a month" mean both "within a month" and "just one month later"?

Can it be used in stead of "next month"?

For example, "He will be able to play in the game next month/ in a month." are both OK?

With regards,
Junkomama

[Kristea]

Hey -

for me, "In a month" would mean something will happen in or after four weeks - very literal.

#1 - In a month I am going on a trip to Chicago.
#2 - My class will be over in a month.

However, I cannot produce an example for the phrase meaning "within a month." I would be more inclined to say "within a month." I think that is because the phrase "in a month" doesn't allow for a shorter amount of time that "within a month" does. For example...

#3 - I will have my certificate within a month.

This means I will have the certificate within 4 weeks, but I might have it earlier. "In a month" doesn't allow for a shorter amount of time to me.

Meaning "just one month later" for the phrase "in a month" does work. However, "just one month later" sounds like a phrase I would hear in a story and not one I would hear often.

Finally, in your sentence about the game, either phrase works for me, but they carry different meanings.

#5 - He will be able to play the game next month.

For me this could mean the game is set for a specific date next month and he will be able to play in the game. There are other potential meaning as well.

#6 - He will be able to play the game in a month.

For me this means he will be able to play in a month because an injury will be healed by then.

Prepositions are odd. They carry more meaning than you might expect from 2/3 letters.

Very long, but I hope this helps = Kristi
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[Junkomama]

Hello, Kristi-san!

Thank you very much for your lucid and intelligible explanation!!

With best regards,
Junkomama