(something) is (amount) within [of (something else)]. My office is within 2 miles of the bus station. The second train departs within 5 minutes of the first train's arrival. It is common to drop the last part. In that case, you would normally understand it to mean "now" for time, "here" for space, and so on: My office is within 2 miles.
Here is the definition of the word within from Oxford Dictionary: inside (something) So does that mean the two words have no difference, and can be used exchangingly? Is there any connotation tha...
Within is regarded as specifying an upper limit: within two days means maybe today, maybe tomorrow, but no later than two days from now. In is sometimes regarded as more precise: in two days could mean two days from now – particularly with a scheduled event, such as a party. That said, there are exceptions where the word in can be more ambiguous. If I tell my supervisor on a Monday: Boss, I ...
"Within" and "in" when referring to time - English Language & Usage ...
24 Within is closer to inside - it mainly refers to something like a building where you are physically in (or inside). In can also mean a state or an organisation, so you can be "in trouble", or "in school" but not "within trouble".
Note that within [length of time] of [point in time] can refer to times before the specified point as well as after it. All these constructions are using [linear] distance to metaphorically reference [length of] time. In such contexts, words like before and after must be treated with care, because time has inherent direction, whereas distance doesn't. Thus within 2 weeks of your birthday can ...