de/à vs entre/et

Sebastian S.B2Kwiziq community member

de/à vs entre/et

Is there any difference in meaning/nuance/register between

'Ce magasin est fermé de deux heures à deux heures et demi'

and

'Ce magasin est fermé entre deux heures et deux heures et demi'? 

I think I tend to use the latter more often, and I'm now wondering whether it's incorrect, or makes me sound odd.

Asked 4 months ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Sebastian S.

No, there's no difference in meaning, the first one is not incorrect but we would normally prefer to use the second one, particularly when talking about such a short time period. 

Bonne Continuation !

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Bonjour Sebastian,

It is the difference between The shop is closed from 2 to 2:30 versus the shop is closed between 2 and 2:30.

I see the first option as the clearest and most consistent with the lesson, others may not agree.

It seems to me to be just a matter of style.

Bonne journée

Jim

Sebastian S. asked:

de/à vs entre/et

Is there any difference in meaning/nuance/register between

'Ce magasin est fermé de deux heures à deux heures et demi'

and

'Ce magasin est fermé entre deux heures et deux heures et demi'? 

I think I tend to use the latter more often, and I'm now wondering whether it's incorrect, or makes me sound odd.

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