metrical foot

USAGE SUMMARY

The term "metrical foot" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a literary term used to refer to the rhythmic pattern of a poem or verse. For example, a line of poetry with 4 metrical feet could be written as "The sun did shine in the evening sky".

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

In classical prosody, diaeresis refers to the end of a word coinciding with the completion of the metrical foot, in contrast to caesura, which refers to a word ending within a metrical foot.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Anapest, metrical foot consisting of two short or unstressed syllables followed by one long or stressed syllable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dactyl, metrical foot consisting of one long (classical verse) or stressed (English verse) syllable followed by two short, or unstressed, syllables.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In classical prosody, caesura refers to a word ending within a metrical foot, in contrast to diaeresis, in which the word ending and the foot ending coincide.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For Thomas and Frost that entailed a fidelity to the phrase rather than to the metrical foot, to the rhythms of speech rather than those of poetic conventions, to what Frost liked to call "cadence".

The Guardian - Books

a) Blue in Green by Bill Evans b) Four by Eddie Vinson c) Stolen Moments by Oliver Nelson d) Donna Lee by Charlie Parker B5 Which of these is not a metrical foot in classical verse?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Tetrameter, line of poetic verse that consists of four metrical feet.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They're anapests, tiny metrical feet of three syllables each, spoken short-short-long.

The New York Times

Often moving on two, and sometimes five, metrical feet at the same time, it nevertheless passes with sublime, quirky ease through regions of consonance unhitched from regular keys.

The New York Times - Arts

It consists of five lines, rhyming aabba, and the dominant metre is anapestic, with two metrical feet in the third and fourth lines and three feet in the others.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Instead Mr. Fry sticks to structure, beginning with metrical feet like iambs and dactyls, then progressing through rhyme schemes and various poetical forms, from haiku to ballads to villanelles.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When analyzing poetry, identify the dominant "metrical foot" to understand the poem's underlying rhythm and how it contributes to the overall effect.

Common error

Avoid using "metrical foot" interchangeably with "meter". A "metrical foot" is a unit of rhythm, while meter is the overall pattern of feet in a line of verse.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "metrical foot" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a fundamental unit of rhythm in poetry. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in academic and literary contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

25%

News & Media

23%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Science

17%

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

9%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "metrical foot" is a grammatically sound and commonly used term in literary analysis, as validated by Ludwig AI. It refers to the basic rhythmic unit in poetry and is primarily employed in formal and academic contexts. To ensure accurate usage, remember that a "metrical foot" is a unit within the broader concept of meter, not interchangeable with it. Analyzing the "metrical foot" is crucial for understanding a poem's rhythm and its contribution to meaning. Related terms, such as "poetic foot" or specific foot types like "iambic foot", offer more targeted descriptions of rhythmic elements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poetic foot

Focuses more broadly on the unit of rhythm in poetry, without necessarily specifying the metrical aspect.

metrical unit

Emphasizes the role of the foot as a component of measurement in verse.

iambic foot

Specifies a particular type of metrical foot, focusing on the iamb.

trochaic foot

Specifies a particular type of metrical foot, focusing on the trochee.

dactylic foot

Specifies a particular type of metrical foot, focusing on the dactyl.

anapestic foot

Specifies a particular type of metrical foot, focusing on the anapest.

spondaic foot

Specifies a particular type of metrical foot, focusing on the spondee.

metrical measure

Highlights the aspect of measurement in verse.

verse foot

Replaces "metrical" with "verse" to describe a rhythmic unit in poetry.

rhythmic unit

Focuses more generally on rhythm, without specific reference to meter.

FAQs

What is a "metrical foot"?

A "metrical foot" is the basic unit of rhythm in poetry, typically consisting of a pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables. Common examples include iambs, trochees, dactyls, and anapests.

How do I identify the "metrical foot" in a poem?

To identify the "metrical foot", scan the poem by marking the stressed and unstressed syllables in each line. Look for repeating patterns to determine the dominant foot.

What are some examples of different types of "metrical feet"?

Examples include the iamb (unstressed, stressed), trochee (stressed, unstressed), dactyl (stressed, unstressed, unstressed), and anapest (unstressed, unstressed, stressed).

Why is understanding the "metrical foot" important in poetry analysis?

Understanding the "metrical foot" helps to reveal the poem's underlying rhythm and how it contributes to the overall meaning and effect. Variations in meter can also highlight specific words or phrases.