I have some problems with understanding what is the difference between these two. According to 初級日本語, 間 refers to certain time frame whereas 間に refers to certain time frame within that time frame. Is it correct or am I missing something?
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I feel like this question (or something very similar) has already been asked before, but I can't find it right now. – istrasci Aug 13 '13 at 16:22
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Before posting this, I searched down in suggestions list and I couldn't find anything. – razorramon Aug 13 '13 at 16:37
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1I wouldn't call it a duplicate, but http://japanese.stackexchange.com/questions/11410/can-%E3%81%86%E3%81%A1%E3%81%AF-means-the-same-as-%E3%81%86%E3%81%A1%E3%81%AB is related – cypher Aug 13 '13 at 21:46
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It is very simple:
A 間 B
means;
All the time that A took place B was also happening. (I read my book while it was raining)
A 間に B
means;
While A took place B happend. The nuance to appreciate is that B is an event that occurred (started & finished) at some point during the period A took place. It did not go on all the time. (While it was raining the post was delivered.)
The nuance is very similar to the difference between まで and までに
A まで B
means;
Until A happens, B will continue, constantly (I was watching television until father came home)
A までに B
means;
By the time A happens B will have occurred (started and finished, during the period defined by A まで; it could happend at any point but did not happen constantly. (I will finish my work by 5 o'clock. ie at some unspecified point during the period to 5'oclock)
Tim
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I've summarized the following from a Dictionary of Basic Grammar which seems a little different from what you state. (Note that I'm not a native speaker.)
The time span in the clause before 間 and the main clause is the same, whereas the time span in the clause before 間に is wider than the time span of the main clause.
For example:
山田さんが巴里｛パリ｝に留学している間にお母さんが病気になった。
The period in which she became sick is a portion of the time when Yamada was studying in Paris. If 間に is replaced by 間 then the sentence becomes ungrammatical according to A Dictionary of Basic Grammar.
