on foot

USAGE SUMMARY

"on foot" is correct and usable in written English.
It typically means "by walking," and is often used in a phrase such as "the hike was completed on foot."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

The New Yorker

The New York Times

The Guardian

Independent

BBC

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Go out on foot patrol.

WikiHow

Be careful when traveling on foot.

WikiHow

On foot.

The New York Times - Travel

She leaves on foot.

The New Yorker

"One hour on foot".

The New Yorker

Scott came on foot.

The Economist

"He fled on foot.

Independent

Others fled on foot.

The New York Times

I arrived on foot.

The New York Times - Food

The family escaped on foot.

The New York Times

The others continued on foot.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on foot" to clearly indicate travel or movement is done by walking, especially when contrasting with other modes of transportation. For example, "We decided to explore the old town on foot."

Common error

Avoid using "on foot" with verbs that already imply walking. For example, instead of saying "He walked on foot", simply say "He walked" as the "on foot" part is implied.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on foot" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the means of locomotion. It specifies that an action, such as traveling or escaping, is performed by walking. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Science

41%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on foot" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe movement or travel by walking. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its wide usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral, it's important to avoid redundancy with verbs that already imply walking. For variety, consider alternatives like "by walking" or "afoot", depending on the desired tone and formality. Remember to explore the usage examples provided to enhance your understanding and confidently incorporate "on foot" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

walking

A simple and direct way to describe traveling without a vehicle.

by walking

Focuses on the action of walking as the mode of transportation.

by foot

Similar to "on foot", but with a slightly different preposition.

afoot

A more formal or literary term for traveling on foot.

pedestrian travel

Emphasizes the act of traveling as a pedestrian.

by shank's mare

An idiom referring to traveling by one's own legs.

using one's legs

Directly refers to the method of propulsion being one's own legs.

without a vehicle

Highlights the absence of any form of transportation other than walking.

by hiking

Suggests a longer or more strenuous journey on foot.

by one's own steam

Implies self-propelled movement, similar to walking.

FAQs

How can I use "on foot" in a sentence?

You can use "on foot" to describe traveling or moving by walking, such as "We explored the city "on foot"" or "The suspect fled "on foot" after the robbery".

What is a more formal alternative to "on foot"?

A more formal alternative to "on foot" is "afoot", which carries a similar meaning but is often found in more literary or historical contexts.

Is it redundant to say "walked on foot"?

Yes, saying "walked "on foot"" is redundant. The verb "walked" already implies movement by foot, so the phrase "on foot" is unnecessary.

What's the difference between "by foot" and "on foot"?

While both phrases indicate traveling by walking, ""on foot"" is the more common and idiomatic expression. "By foot" is less frequently used and may sound slightly awkward to some native English speakers.