by the seconds

USAGE SUMMARY

"by the seconds" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when describing how quickly something is happening or progressing. For example: "The temperature dropped by the seconds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

We're watching performance by the seconds and the minutes.

TechCrunch

It's critical that the "firsts" are followed by the seconds, and thirds, and fourths, in order to create permanent change on our federal courts.

Huffington Post

Be a shaman by being second or first on the scoreboard (the one by the seconds board).

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

By the sixth race, $1.

The New York Times

By the sixth, the Yankees adjusted.

The New York Times - Sports

"They were exhausted by the fourth quarter.

The New Yorker

He walked three batters by the fourth.

The New York Times - Sports

By the second week of Apr.

The New Yorker

By the fifth, Duensing was done.

The New York Times - Sports

By the third date, he was gone.

The New York Times

By the eighteenth century.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by the seconds" to emphasize how rapidly something is being measured or monitored, especially when precision is important. For example, in scientific experiments or performance tracking, this phrase can effectively convey the granularity of the data.

Common error

Avoid using "by the seconds" when the changes are better measured in milliseconds or microseconds. Overstating the precision can diminish the credibility of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by the seconds" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the rate or frequency at which an action or event occurs. It indicates that something is being measured or observed with extreme precision.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by the seconds" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize a high degree of precision in measuring or observing something. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, the phrase appears relatively infrequently in common usage. It's most suitable for contexts where accuracy and speed of measurement are crucial, such as technical reports or news analysis. Similar phrases include "second by second" or "in a matter of seconds". Remember to use it when emphasizing the rapidity and granularity of the observation is important to avoid overstating the precision when another time unit is a better fit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

second by second

This alternative highlights a gradual, incremental change occurring with each passing second.

with each passing second

This phrase denotes a continuous change or progression over time.

by the split second

This alternative adds emphasis on precision and immediacy, highlighting the instantaneous nature of the action.

moment by moment

Similar to 'second by second', it emphasizes a constant, incremental change but on a slightly less precise scale.

every second

This phrase emphasizes the continuous and repeated nature of something happening.

in a matter of seconds

This phrase focuses on the speed and brevity of an event.

almost instantly

This implies an action happening very rapidly, close to immediate.

in rapid succession

This indicates that events are happening quickly one after another.

in short bursts

This implies actions or events happening in quick, brief intervals.

at lightning speed

This emphasizes the extreme rapidity of an occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "by the seconds" in a sentence?

You can use "by the seconds" to describe things that change very rapidly, such as "The website's traffic was increasing "second by second"" or "We're watching performance "by the minutes"".

What does "by the seconds" mean?

"By the seconds" indicates that something is being measured or observed with great precision and frequency, tracking changes as they occur nearly instantaneously.

What phrases are similar to "by the seconds"?

Similar phrases include "every second", "in a matter of seconds", or "almost instantly". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "by the seconds" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct, "by the seconds" is less common than alternatives like "second by second". Consider your audience and the desired level of formality when choosing between these options.