0.1 of a second

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Chariot  #571176  Sun, 28 Sep 08 06:57 AM

Please read the text: “Owens was primed for greatness on the day of his track and field finals. In the final of the 100 meter dash he stopped the clock at 10.3 seconds. Coming in just 0.1 of a second behind him was his great rival Ralph Metcalfe. In the 200 meter final, Owens cruised to victory. In the cold and reain he ran the distance in 20.7 seconds, just 0.1 of a second off the world record.”

 

I have a few questions about this text:  1. “0.1 of a second”: Can this expression be rewritten as “0.1 seconds” or “0.1 second”? I am not sure whether both are correct.

2. “Owens cruised to victory”: Does this phrase mean Owens ran well ahead of the other runners, he won the victory easily?

3. “ ran the distance in 20.7 seconds, just 0.1 of a second off the world record”: 0.1 second behind the world record? Thanks for your help

  
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Mister Micawber  #571178  Sun, 28 Sep 08 07:42 AM
.

1. “0.1 of a second” =  “0.1 second” = “0.1 seconds”. Both are accepted.

2. “Owens cruised to victory”: Does this phrase mean Owens ran well ahead of the other runners, he won the victory easily?-- Yes

3. “ ran the distance in 20.7 seconds, just 0.1 of a second off the world record”: 0.1 second behind the world record? Thanks for your help. -- Yes, one-tenth of a second slower.


  
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