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The train runs by the second.



 
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ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
"I love you so" vs "I love you so much" | What's the meaning of "RIP"?
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The train runs by the second. #1 (permalink) Mon Jun 30, 2008 3:29 am   The train runs by the second.
 

Hi,

If I want to say that the train arrives accurately to the second every time, can I use the above sentence?

Many thanks,
Cantik
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The train runs by the second. #2 (permalink) Mon Jun 30, 2008 3:47 am   The train runs by the second.
 

Hi Cantik

No, that sentence doesn't work.
The words "by the second" might be used to mean "each second" or "with every second (that passes/passed)":

- I was getting more worried by the second.
.
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The train runs by the second. #3 (permalink) Mon Jun 30, 2008 4:05 am   The train runs by the second.
 

Oh, so how can I say it?

Thanks, gal.
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The train runs by the second. #4 (permalink) Mon Jun 30, 2008 12:29 pm   The train runs by the second.
 

Maybe, 'The train always arrives (dead) on time.'? Or it arrives at one-thirty sharp.
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The train runs by the second. #5 (permalink) Mon Jun 30, 2008 12:47 pm   The train runs by the second.
 

Thanks for the suggestions, Inga. Now I'm thinking of this:

The train is accurate to the second.
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The train runs by the second. #6 (permalink) Mon Jun 30, 2008 12:55 pm   The train runs by the second.
 

in english you wouldn't say that the train was "accurate"
it either "arrived" or "departed" to the second
but again this is not really an English phrase. I would still say "it arrived dead on time" is the best way.
you can also say "it arrived on the dot"
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The train runs by the second. #7 (permalink) Mon Jun 30, 2008 12:57 pm   The train runs by the second.
 

Thanks Benjamin. I like the expression "on the dot".
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"I love you so" vs "I love you so much" | What's the meaning of "RIP"?
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms The train runs by the second. All times are GMT + 1 Hour
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