5 foot 6

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "5 foot 6" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "The security guard was 5 foot 6 and had a serious look on his face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Kerry Sanders was described as 5 foot 6 and 155 pounds.

The New York Times - Magazine

She was a junior in high school, 5 foot 6 and weighing 115 pounds.

The New York Times

He said he fit pretty well -- he is only 5 foot 6 -- and never rolled off.

The New York Times

"Who else was 5 foot 6 or under?" muses the mayor.

The Guardian - Books

Augustus (5 foot 6), Mussolini (ditto), Stalin (teensy at 5 foot 4).

The Guardian - Books

Basically, the average size of an Englishman in the middle of the eighteenth century was 5 foot 6.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The average woman is 5-foot-6.

The New York Times

Maybe 20, maybe 5-foot-6, maybe 130 pounds.

The New York Times

For the record, she is 5-foot-6.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Bryant was 5-foot-6 and bald.

The New York Times

"I found myself guarding a 5-foot-6 woman once.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person's height, use "5 foot 6" or "5 feet 6 inches" for clarity and consistency. Be mindful of the context and audience when choosing between these options.

Common error

Avoid mixing units inconsistently, such as writing "5 foot 6 cm". Stick to either feet and inches or convert the entire measurement to a single unit like centimeters or meters.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "5 foot 6" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun (often a person) to indicate their height. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples in descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

8.33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8.33%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "5 foot 6" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe height, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, typically used in neutral contexts like news reports and general descriptions. While other expressions such as "five foot six inches" or the shorthand "5'6"" exist, "5 foot 6" offers a concise and widely understood measurement. Remember to use consistent units and consider the audience when describing height. Ludwig's examples and analysis confirm the phrase's broad applicability and proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

five foot six inches

Specifies the units, adding "inches" for clarity.

5'6"

Uses the common shorthand notation for feet and inches.

five feet six

Omits "inches" and the hyphen, but retains the same meaning.

167 centimeters

Converts the height to metric units.

around 5'6"

Indicates an approximate height.

approximately 5 foot 6

Adds a qualifier to show the height is not exact.

about 5 foot 6 inches tall

Rephrases to include "tall" for better flow in some sentences.

of average height

Describes the height in relative terms.

medium height

Uses a simpler descriptor of height.

not particularly tall

Indicates the person isn't considered tall.

FAQs

How do I write height using feet and inches?

You can express height as "5 foot 6", "5 feet 6 inches", or using the shorthand notation "5'6"".

What is the metric equivalent of "5 foot 6"?

"5 foot 6" is approximately equal to 167 centimeters or 1.67 meters.

Is it more common to say "5 foot 6" or "5 feet 6 inches"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "5 foot 6" is generally more common in informal contexts, while "5 feet 6 inches" might be preferred for greater precision in formal writing.

What are some other ways to describe someone who is "5 foot 6"?

Depending on the context, you could say they are "of average height" or "medium height".