He saw no active service

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GoesStation

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The phrase is to see service. The sample sentence means that although he was enrolled in the army, he was not part of an active unit.
 

Rover_KE

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I have changed your thread title. The text does not include the words 'to see a service'.

He took part in no battles or direct military conflicts.
 

GoesStation

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He took part in no battles or direct military conflicts.

I think it goes further. I understand it to mean that he never actually joined a regiment; he was officially a member of the army but never trained or marched with a unit.

For the situation you describe, I'd say he never saw action.
 

emsr2d2

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I readily admit I know nothing to speak of about the military, but I would have assumed that "active service" and "action" were much the same thing, ie the person was (or wasn't) actually involved in fighting.
 

hhtt21

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I think it goes further. I understand it to mean that he never actually joined a regiment; he was officially a member of the army but never trained or marched with a unit.

For the situation you describe, I'd say he never saw action.

What does "it goes further" mean?

Thank you.
 

teechar

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It means it has a wider scope; it has a broader meaning.
 

Rover_KE

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#7.

Thread closed.
 
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