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Ethanw Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
the clock says
If I mean to say: according to the clock on the wall, it's 10:30, I believe I can say:
The clock on the wall says it's 10:30.
But is that OK to say:
It's 10:30 on the clock on the wall. Or
It's 10:30 by the clock on the wall.
The clock on the wall says it's 10:30.
But is that OK to say:
It's 10:30 on the clock on the wall. Or
It's 10:30 by the clock on the wall.
Top answer
The clock on the wall said 10:30. "It's 10:30 by the clock on the wall" does not sound good.
- The clock on the wall said 10:30.
- "It's 10:30 by the clock on the wall" does not sound good.
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5 Answers
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The clock on the wall said 10:30.
"It's 10:30 by the clock on the wall" does not sound good.
"It's 10:30 by the clock on the wall" does not sound good.
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Hi Welkins,
Thank you for your reply. But why past tense? What I want to say is: it's 10:30 now.
Thank you for your reply. But why past tense? What I want to say is: it's 10:30 now.
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...by the clock... is the most natural option. We also say 'by my watch' etc when we are looking at time.
All of these sentences suggest that perhaps it isn't actually 10.30 though, just that that particular clock says so, and it may be wrong. (otherwise why would you bother mentioning the clock. You would just say 'it is 10.30' if you knew the clock was right. By pointing out that specif
All of these sentences suggest that perhaps it isn't actually 10.30 though, just that that particular clock says so, and it may be wrong. (otherwise why would you bother mentioning the clock. You would just say 'it is 10.30' if you knew the clock was right. By pointing out that specif
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