Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[suapei]

Excuse me.
I can't distinguish "within" from "in."
Can anybody help me?
Thanks sincerely.^^

[asterix]

Within = preposition.
It means:
1.)Inside something.
2.)Inside the range of.
3.) Inside the bounds set by.
5.) not further off than (a particular distance)
6. occurring inside (a period of time)

adverb.
1.) Inside; indoors
2.) internally, or inwardly

In preposition

1.)expresses the situation of being enclosed or surrounded by something.
2.)expresses motion that results in being within or surrounded by something.
3.)expresses a period of time during which an event happens or a situation remains the case.
4.)expresses the length of time before a future event is expected to happen.
5.)expresses a state , condition, or quality.
6.)expresses inclusion or involvement.
7.)indicates someone's profession or occupation.
8.) indicates the language or medium used.
9.) expressing a value as a proportion of a whole.

adverb
1.) expressing movement that results in being enclosed or surrounded by something
2.)expressing the situation of being enclosed or surrounded by something.
Present at one's home or office.
3.) expressing arrival.
4.) (of the tide) rising or at its highest level.

adjective

fashionable.

Source: Oxford English Dictionary.

[2006]

Every serious student of English should have a good English dictionary to give you the definitions of words and examples of their use. You can see that these two words have a lot of meanings/uses.

I just want to emphasize one point. When talking about location, these two words are largely interchangeable but "in" is more commonly used. The police believe that the suspect is still (in) (within) the building.

When talking about time, there is a notable difference. If today is Monday and I say 'call me back in 3 days', it means I want you to call me on Thursday. (preposition definition 4)
If I say 'call me back within 3 days', it means I want you to call me no later than Thursday. You can call me on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. (preposition definition 6)