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Is 'in a week or three' correct English?

English Language & Usage Asked by TeeBee on March 10, 2021

The other day I had an argument with a fellow translator of English about the correctness of the expression ‘in a week or three’, which, in her opinion, is incorrect and may even be described as ‘Dunglish’.

My gut feeling tells me there’s nothing wrong with it, and any advice from native speakers of English would be highly appreciated.

2 Answers

As stated in the comments, there is nothing wrong with the phrase. It is uncommon and has a specific use. It is a modification of the common phrase, "in a week or two". Its intention is to mean the same as its root phrase except the anticipation will make it seem longer.

It is also used in a derogatory sense when an entity frequently over promises on delivery schedules.

Answered by Jammin4CO on March 10, 2021

She's right, you lost this one. One might say "in one to three weeks." But that sounds more definite than "ln a week or two". Keep trying, perhaps in a "week or three" you'll best her yet.

Answered by Michael THORNTON on March 10, 2021

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