He's not here now.(他现在不在这儿。) He's out of the office right now. 他什么时候能回来? When is he coming back? When do you expect him back? What time do you think he'll be back? 他大概10分钟后回来。 He should be back in ten minutes. *in 指的不是“以内”,而是“……之后”,所以是“10分钟后”的意思。 他应该下个星期来上班。 He should be back in the office next week. 他休假到下个星期。 He's on vacation until next week. 他打电话来说病了。 He called in sick today. *call in sick 是习惯用语,“打电话请病假”。 他现在出差去了。 He's out of town now. 他现在吃午饭去了。 He's out to lunch now. *out to lunch 惯用语,“午休”。 他现在正在开会。 He's in a meeting right now. 他今天休息。 He's off today. *只用off就可以表示“休息”。
●留言、接受留言 您能过会儿再打来吗? Could you call back later? Would you call again later? Would you mind calling back later? 请10分钟后再打。 Please call me back in ten minutes. *in表示“从现在到……以后”、“……以后”。如果要特别强调在“……时间之内”的话,用within。表示在“某时间以后”,用after。 Would you call me back in ten minutes, if you don't mind? (你能10分钟以后再打来吗?)