dans ou en

Radhika S.B2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

dans ou en

In the test, it says -Il termine dans 2 minutes. shouldnt it be ..en 2 minutes. i have learnt that when some action finishes within a particular time we use en. 

Asked 1 month ago
Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Radhika, 

Regardless of whether talking about an action starting or finishing, the choice between ' dans ' and ' en ' depends on whether you are 

describing/emphasising the point in time at which 'it' will happen (dans), 

or 

the period of time necessary/during which 'it' will happen (en). 

Just as in English, there is a difference in emphasis between using ' in ' or ' within ', as discussed in the lesson attached. It is not necessarily exclusively one word or the other, but the choice of word changes the meaning. 

 En vs Dans with time (French Prepositions of Time)

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Just to provide a few examples to Maarten's explanation:

Il est 11h58, tu dois terminer dans 2 minutes. -- It's 11:58, you have to finish in 2 minutes.

In this example, the emphasis is on fact that something has to be finished by noon. The observation that there are 2 minutes left is secondary.

Tu dois terminer en 2 minutes. -- You have to finish in (within) 2 minutes.

Here, it is secondary what time you have to be finished by. All that counts is that you have 2 minutes to do it.

In everyday usage, the examples will not always be as clear-cut as the ones above. But the emphasis on either the ending (dans) or the period (en) is what determines which one to use.

Radhika S.B2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Thanks Chris and Maarten

Anne D.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

With no context, "en" is a possible answer - the only clue is that the question is testing the lesson about the use of "dans".

Anne D.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

With no context, "en" is a possible answer - the only clue is that the question is testing the lesson about the use of "dans".

Anne D.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

With no context, "en" is a possible answer - the only clue is that the question is testing the lesson about the use of "dans".

Radhika S.B2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Agree Anne

Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

If there was an English translation or original phrase given, the use of ' in ' translates to ' dans ', while the use of ' within ' translates to ' en '.

dans ou en

In the test, it says -Il termine dans 2 minutes. shouldnt it be ..en 2 minutes. i have learnt that when some action finishes within a particular time we use en. 

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
I'll be right with you...