to the beat of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to the beat of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or movements that are synchronized with a rhythm or musical beat. Example: "She danced gracefully to the beat of the music, captivating everyone in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I nod again to the beat of his music.

Princeton University

"The company travels to the beat of its own drummer.

The Washington Post

He walks to the beat of a different golfer.

The New York Times - Sports

Human history marches to the beat of what?

The New York Times - Health

I just marched to the beat of my own drum.

The New Yorker

"I travel to the beat of my own drummer.

The New York Times - Sports

I've always marched to the beat of my own drum".

The Guardian

Children watched, sometimes clapping to the beat of Zionist songs.

The New York Times

But how do they relate to the beat of our brains?

Harvard University

"Tonie always danced, not walked, to the beat of her own drum," the obituary read.

The New York Times

The students stomp their feet to the beat of the music.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to the beat of" to vividly describe actions that are synchronized with music or a rhythmic pulse. This adds dynamism and clarity to your writing. For example, instead of saying "The dancers moved together", try "The dancers moved in unison to the beat of the music".

Common error

Avoid using "to the beat of" when describing abstract or non-rhythmic situations. This phrase is most effective when there's an actual, audible beat or rhythm. Saying something like, "The economy grew to the beat of progress" is a misuse; a more appropriate phrase would be "in line with."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to the beat of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase indicating a manner or way in which an action is performed. It suggests synchronization or adherence to a specific rhythm or tempo, as seen in Ludwig examples where people "dance", "clap", or "move" to it. The structure generally links an action to the underlying rhythm.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0.1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to the beat of" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe actions synchronized with a rhythm or pulse, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it conveys vivid imagery of movement and coordination. While versatile, writers should avoid misusing it in non-rhythmic contexts, opting for more fitting alternatives like "in line with" when describing abstract progressions. Related phrases include "in rhythm with" and "synchronized with", offering nuanced ways to express alignment and coordination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in rhythm with

This alternative emphasizes a direct alignment with a rhythmic pattern.

in time with

This suggests precise synchronization, particularly with music or a specific tempo.

synchronized with

This option highlights the coordinated movement or action aligning with a beat.

aligned with the rhythm of

This highlights a correlation between the movement and an established rhythmic pattern.

following the cadence of

This emphasizes following the flow and rhythmic progression of something.

keeping pace with

This suggests maintaining speed or progression in coordination with a rhythm.

moving in sync with

This is emphasizes synchronous movement with something else.

dancing to the tune of

This describes action that responds accordingly to the existing situation.

marching in step with

This suggests maintaining unified procession.

going along with the flow of

This implies adapting and progressing in harmony with a continuous movement or process.

FAQs

How can I use "to the beat of" in a sentence?

Use "to the beat of" to describe actions that are synchronized with a rhythm or musical pulse. For instance, "The drummer played a complex rhythm, and the dancers moved perfectly "to the beat of" the music".

What are some alternatives to "to the beat of"?

You can use alternatives such as "in rhythm with", "in time with", or "synchronized with" depending on the context. For example, instead of "dancing "to the beat of" the music", you could say "dancing in rhythm with the music".

Is it appropriate to use "to the beat of" in formal writing?

While "to the beat of" is widely understood, it may sound less formal depending on the specific context. In certain formal contexts, using a more precise alternative like "in accordance with the rhythm of" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "to the beat of" and "in sync with"?

"To the beat of" specifically refers to following a musical or rhythmic pulse, while "in sync with" is broader and can refer to any kind of coordinated action or timing. You might move "to the beat of" a drum, but two computers might operate "in sync with" each other.