「Next Week」と「In Two Weeks」は何が違う？英語の「未来を表す時間表現」完全ガイド
Sometimes in English, two time phrases that seem to mean the same thing are actually quite different. This can lead to confusion in planning and scheduling.
For example, what is the difference between "next week" and "in a week"?
When do you use "later" or "in"?
Today, we will look at the most common and useful time phrases for talking about the future and the past.
1. Next Week vs. The Following Week
These phrases are about the calendar, not counting days from today.
Next Week
This means the week after this one. If today is Tuesday, "next week" means starting next Monday.
- "Our meeting is next week, on Thursday."
- "See you next week!"
The Following Week
This means the weekafter a week we are already talking about. It is used in stories or timelines.
- "We have exams next week. The following week, we will go on holiday." (First exam week, then holiday week)
- "He visited in March. I saw him again the following week."
Note: Saying "I'll visit you the following week" sounds strange if you haven't already mentioned another week. For plans from today, use next week.
2. In a Week / In Two Weeks
This phrase is about countingtime from now.
In a Week / In Two Weeks
This means one week or two weeks from today. You start counting from the moment you speak.
- "My package will arrive in a week." (7 days from now)
- "The project finishes in two weeks." (14 days from now)
Important: "In a week" is not the same as "next week." "Next week" is the block of 7 days, starting Monday (or Sunday - if you prefer). "In a week" is a duration from now.
Easy example:
- If today is Friday...
"Next Wednesday" is in 5 days.
"In a week" is next Friday.
3. A Week Later / Two Weeks Later
This is about counting time from a past event, not from today.
A Week Later
This means one week after something else happened. It is for telling stories.
- "She left on Monday. A week later, she called me." (She called the next Monday - but still in the past from now)
- "I sent the email. Two weeks later, I got a reply." (I waited for two weeks for the reply)
Important note: Do not use "a week later" to talk about your future plans from today. Use "in a week" instead. "A week later" is for the past.
4. Ago
This is the opposite of "in." It counts backwards from now into the past.
Two Weeks Ago
This means two weeks before today.
- "I started my new job two weeks ago."
- "We met a long time ago."
Remember: "Ago" always comes after the time period.
- ✔ "three days ago"
- ✘ "ago three days"
5. This Week / Last Week
These phrases are about the current and previous calendar weeks.
This Week
This means the current week (Sunday to Saturday, or Monday to Sunday).
- "I'm very busy this week."
- "Let's meet this week."
Last Week
This means the week before the current one.
- "I was sick last week."
- "We had a test last week."
Cultural Note: In British English, we often do not use a preposition (like in or at) with "this," "next," or "last."
- ✔ "See you next Friday."
- ✘ "See you on next Friday."
What Not to Say
- ✘ "I will start my course the following week." (Strange if no other week is mentioned)
✔ "I will start my course next week." (Simple and clear)
- ✘ "I saw him in two weeks." ("In" is for future)
✔ "I saw him two weeks ago." ("Ago" is for past)
- ✘ "Let's meet on next Monday." (Don't use on with next/this/last)
✔ "Let's meet next Monday."
- ✘ "The bus will come later 10 minutes." ("Later" doesn't work with a specific time)
✔ "The bus will come in 10 minutes."
Quick Practice
Choose the correct phrase for each situation.
1. Your friend asks when you will return from holiday. You say, "I'll be back ______." (counting from today)
a) next week
b) in a week
2. You are telling a story. You say, "I graduated in 2020. ______, I got my first job."
a) The following year
b) Next year
3. You want to talk about something that happened 14 days before today. You say, "It was ______."
a) in two weeks
b) two weeks ago
4. You are making a plan for the week starting Monday. You say, "Let's have dinner ______."
a) on next Wednesday
b) next Wednesday
5. You will be on holiday for 14 days. You say, "I will be away ______."
a) in two weeks
b) for two weeks
Final Thought
The secret to using these time phrases correctly is to ask one simple question: "Where am I counting from?"
- From today into the future? Use in (in a week).
- From today into the past? Use ago (a week ago).
- From a past event? Use later (a week later).
- Talking about calendar weeks? Use next, this, last.
Keep this question in mind, and you will choose the right phrase every time. This will make your plans clear and your stories easy to understand.
Answers:
1) b,
2) a
3) b
4) b
5) b