five feet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "five feet" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a measurement of length or height, typically in contexts such as construction, sports, or describing someone's stature. Example: "The fence needs to be at least five feet tall to provide adequate privacy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

It's five feet tall.

The New Yorker

Five feet of snow.

The New York Times

Five feet ten inches.

The New Yorker

Five feet of water.

The New York Times

It's about five feet three.

The New Yorker

Gould was five feet four.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Waxman is five foot five.

The New Yorker

Around five foot two.

The Guardian - Books

She is about five foot six.

The New Yorker

Five foot wingspan?

Vice

"Seventy-five feet onto concrete.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing height or length, ensure the unit of measurement (feet) agrees in number with the quantity. Use "five feet" for plural and "one foot" for singular.

Common error

Avoid using "foot" instead of "feet" when referring to a plural measurement, as in "the table is five foot long." Always use "feet" for plural measurements: "the table is "five feet" long."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "five feet" primarily functions as a measurement descriptor, specifying a length or height. Ludwig AI's examples confirm its use in various descriptive contexts, such as describing the height of a person or the depth of a hole.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

9%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "five feet" is a common and grammatically sound measurement descriptor, predominantly used in news and media and academia. Ludwig AI confirms that it serves the purpose of providing quantifiable information about length, height, or distance. When using "five feet", remember to maintain proper unit agreement and to prefer it over "five foot" in noun contexts. Consider alternatives like "approximately 5 feet" or "around five feet" when estimations are acceptable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

five foot

Singular form instead of plural, generally used when followed by an adjective.

approximately 5 feet

Adds a level of approximation to the measurement.

around five feet

Similar to "approximately five feet", indicating an estimate.

a distance of five feet

More formal and descriptive way to express the distance.

a height of five feet

Specifically refers to vertical measurement.

five feet in length

Specifies that the measurement refers to length.

five feet in diameter

Specifies that the measurement refers to diameter.

within five feet

Indicates proximity within the specified distance.

less than five feet

Expresses a measurement that is shorter than five feet.

more than five feet

Expresses a measurement that is longer than five feet.

FAQs

How is "five feet" abbreviated?

The common abbreviation for "five feet" is 5 ft. It can also be written as 5'. However, the symbol is mostly used in technical drawings, not plain text.

What is the metric equivalent of "five feet"?

"Five feet" is approximately equal to 1.52 meters. For more precise conversions, online converters are available.

When should I use "five foot" instead of "five feet"?

Use "five foot" as an adjective before a noun, such as in "a five foot fence". Use "five feet" as a noun or after a linking verb, such as in "The fence is "five feet" tall" or "The distance is "five feet"". Consider using a "fence of five feet" instead.

Are there specific contexts where using "five feet" is more appropriate?

The phrase "five feet" is generally appropriate for describing dimensions, distances, or heights across various contexts, from casual conversation to technical specifications. However, technical or construction contexts may prefer the abbreviated form: 5 ft.