on all fours

USAGE SUMMARY

"on all fours" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to an animal like a dog or a cat that is walking, crawling, or standing on all four feet. For example, "The puppy was running around on all fours and barking loudly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Therestory is developing..

Huffington Post

In one she's seated spread eagle, in another she's on all fours.

Huffington Post

Crawling on all fours?

The New Yorker

He got down on all fours.

The New Yorker

She's never depicted on all fours.

The New Yorker

A skill still crawling on all fours.

The Guardian - Books

Then going up on all fours.

The Guardian - Books

What were you doing on all fours?

The New Yorker

And I got down on all fours like a cat.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

She keeps not doing the on-all-fours apey stuff.

The Guardian - Film

He's furry, walks on all-fours, and will eat anything.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing movement, use "on all fours" to clearly indicate a quadrupedal gait, distinguishing it from simply being "down" or "prone".

Common error

Avoid using "on all fours" metaphorically when a literal description is needed; ensure the context clarifies whether the subject is physically in that position or if you are just referring to a state of submission.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on all fours" typically functions as an adverbial phrase or an adjectival phrase, modifying a verb or noun by describing a particular position or state. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely accepted and understood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

26%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on all fours" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression in English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly employed to describe a quadrupedal posture, it finds common usage across diverse contexts like News & Media and Wiki. While its register remains relatively neutral, it is crucial to ensure contextual clarity, avoiding ambiguity in its application. Related alternatives include "on hands and knees" and "in a quadrupedal position". Mastering the nuances of "on all fours" enriches descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on hands and knees

This alternative directly replaces the phrase with a more descriptive term for the same posture.

on one's hands and knees

This alternative specifies body parts, describing posture in detail.

crawling on all limbs

This phrase emphasizes the act of crawling using all limbs, highlighting movement.

down on all fours

Adding "down" emphasizes the act of lowering oneself to that position.

in a quadrupedal position

This offers a more formal and technical description of the same posture.

all fours

A short version of the main query.

walking quadrupedally

Describes the manner of ambulation.

kneeling

Describes a posture of only using the knees.

prostrate

Emphasizing a submissive or vulnerable posture on the ground.

belly-down

Describes lying with the abdomen touching the ground.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "on all fours"?

Being "on all fours" means being in a position where one's hands and knees are on the ground, similar to how animals like dogs and cats typically stand or move.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "on all fours"?

It is appropriate to use "on all fours" when describing someone or something in a crawling position, or when referring to animals that naturally walk that way. This can be in a literal or sometimes metaphorical context.

Are there alternative ways to say "on all fours"?

You can use alternatives like "on hands and knees" or "in a quadrupedal position" depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "on all fours" grammatically correct?

Yes, "on all fours" is grammatically correct and a commonly used phrase in English. Ludwig AI confirms this.