going by foot

USAGE SUMMARY

"going by foot" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it to refer to the act of traveling by walking, usually for a moderate distance. For example: "The quickest way to get to the museum was by bus, but I chose to go by foot instead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

And to say "go" requires different Slavic verbs for going by foot, car, plane, boat or other conveyance.

The Economist

The fast, fassssst ways of travelling now make me more tired than going by foot, I think".

The Guardian - Music

There were people on tractors and trucks and the wooden carts we had seen the night before; many more were going by foot.

The New York Times

In addition, the core verb, the "go" itself, varies depending on whether you are going by foot, land vehicle, air or sea; and then on whether you are going once, several times or there and back, have finished going, or are still engaged in it.When it comes to other sorts of verbs, the prefixes modify the meaning entirely, turning entire swathes of words into siblings.

The Economist

Simply by going by foot (or hooves), you're already eliminating a majority of the crowds that would head here, making this a particularly serene place to spend a few hours exploring.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

You can go by foot.

The New York Times

No cars go there; you have to go by foot.

The New York Times - Travel

"I will go by foot to perform there.

Independent

Neither can it be Nigel, since he goes by foot.

The Guardian

The rest use bicycles or three-wheeled auto-rickshaws, or go by foot.

The New York Times

In keeping with Khan's lifelong habit, they went by foot.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "going by foot" to specifically highlight the mode of transport, especially when contrasting it with other options like driving or public transport. For example: "Although it was faster to drive, they preferred going by foot to enjoy the scenery."

Common error

Avoid using "going by foot" when simply stating someone is walking. Use "walking" when the mode of transport isn't the focus. For example, instead of "He was going by foot to the store", use "He was walking to the store".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going by foot" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to specify the means of transportation. Ludwig confirms this usage, indicating it's a standard way to describe traveling by walking.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "going by foot" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe traveling by walking. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, though often used to contrast walking with other modes of transport. While simpler alternatives like "walking" exist, "going by foot" provides a specific emphasis on the means of travel. It appears frequently in news and media, indicating its widespread understandability and acceptability. Therefore, using "going by foot" is perfectly acceptable and can add a specific nuance to your writing, highlighting the conscious choice of walking as the mode of transportation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

walking

This alternative is more concise and generally applicable, lacking the "by" prepositional phrase structure.

traveling on foot

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the act of traveling.

proceeding on foot

This alternative is highly formal and suggests a deliberate or planned movement.

making one's way on foot

This alternative is more descriptive, emphasizing the effort involved in walking.

getting there by walking

This alternative emphasizes the means of transportation.

on shank's mare

This alternative is an idiomatic and somewhat archaic way of saying "on foot."

footing it

This alternative is informal and implies a more casual manner of walking.

ambulating

This alternative is a formal and somewhat technical term for walking.

hiking

This alternative implies walking for exercise or pleasure, often in a natural setting.

strolling

This alternative suggests a leisurely and relaxed way of walking.

FAQs

What does "going by foot" mean?

The phrase "going by foot" means traveling or moving from one place to another by walking.

What can I say instead of "going by foot"?

You can use alternatives like "walking", "traveling on foot", or "proceeding on foot" depending on the context.

Is "going by foot" formal or informal?

The phrase "going by foot" is generally considered neutral in register. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though simpler alternatives like "walking" may be preferred in very informal situations.

How can I use "going by foot" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a mode of transportation, for example: "They decided against taking the bus and ended up going by foot".