English Grammar Question

[R'as al Ghul]

Hi all,

my girlfriend is an English Secondary Language Teacher.
Her native language is German.
Recently the question came up in one of her classes whether
it is possible to say "by feet" as well as "on foot".

Examples: "Most students arrive on the campus by feet or car." or "You can go there on foot"

The two of us have the feeling that "on foot" is far often used
but that "by feet" is not completely wrong either. Perhaps outdated.
I know we have a lot of native speakers here as well as teachers (Papewaio?),
so if anyone could clarify this and perhaps give a few examples, it would be very much appreciated.

R'as

[Fragony]

It is just a feeling, but 'by feet' sounds more apropiate in past time form. Like 'we went there by feet' or 'You can go there on foot'

[R'as al Ghul]

Fragony,
I can relate to that feeling, somehow.
But it would make an odd rule, don't you think?

R'as

[Fragony]

Fragony,
I can relate to that feeling, somehow.
But it would make an odd rule, don't you think?

R'as

Yes but english are odd people

I don't know, but 'by' and 'on' have a difference I cannot really comprehend, maybe not present/past per se but 'to do' and 'have done'? English is a very easy language untill you think of the subtleties, that's for sure.

[R'as al Ghul]

Right, they are.
I thought about an "active"/"passive" difference.
active: I can go there on foot
passive: People come here by feet.

I'm still puzzled.

R'as

[Taohn]

Right, they are.
I thought about an "active"/"passive" difference.
active: I can go there on foot
passive: People come here by feet.

I'm still puzzled.

R'as

Just so you know, "people come here by feet" isn't really passive at all; it's active. "To come" is an intransitive verb and thus can never take the passive voice. A couple passive examples would be:"The people were brought here on foot" or "The people were forced to come by foot" (notice that even when "come" appears, it must be accompanied by a transitive verb).

[King Edward]

Our language is a mess but I'm pretty sure that you say by foot rather than on feet.

Most students arrive on the campus on foot or by car.

That would be the correct way of saying it I think

[Mouzafphaerre]

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I've never heard or seen by feet; neither of my bigg-αß dictionaries (Collins Cobuild and Grolier Webster) include it either, while both of them have on foot.
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[Fragony]

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I've never heard or seen by feet; neither of my bigg-αß dictionaries (Collins Cobuild and Grolier Webster) include it either, while both of them have on foot.
-

You are right. It is 'by foot' and 'on foot'. It does implicate a difference. I think I am close with the 'to do' and 'have done', but it is just a hunch.

[King Edward]

I'm glad im English and its my first language, as I would hate to have to learn it again!!!!!!

R'as Yes by feet is incorrect as was stated above it would be on foot. you could also use by foot.

[R'as al Ghul]

I'm glad im English and its my first language, as I would hate to have to learn it again!!!!!!

How's your German?
I heard it must be the strongest pain in the back to learn it?
Don't try if you don't have to......

[King Edward]

The only thing I can say in German would be censored by our mods rather quickly

[Mouzafphaerre]

-

How's your German?
I heard it must be the strongest pain in the back to learn it?
Don't try if you don't have to......

Not at all! Learning German was pretty easy on top of English training. The real pain is forgetting it after three years' classes.
-

[Fragony]

I'm glad im English and its my first language, as I would hate to have to learn it again!!!!!!

Actually english is one of the easiest languages to learn, because it's logic is very consistent.

[King Edward]

Actually english is one of the easiest languages to learn, because it's logic is very consistent.

I got told it wasn't easy because of our inconsistant grammar, and also many words with multiple meanings ie for & four, their and there. mean for example has at least 3 meanings!

(There are many more but my minds drawing blanks at the moment.)

But I'm no language expert infact I'm terrible at other languages, Luckly my girlfriend can speak English and French as well as passable Itailan, German, Mandarin and Russian!

[R'as al Ghul]

R'as Yes by feet is incorrect as was stated above it would be on foot. you could also use by foot.

Okay,
so on foot or by foot
but never feet in any combination?

It sounds reasonable.
Now it would be nice to have someone explain it.

[R'as al Ghul]

King Edward,

so can you rule out "by feet" generally?

Mouza,

me and my gf have about a dozen dictionaries at home.
One or two include "by feet", the others don't mention it.
However, some pupils brought their dictionaries which included "by feet".

Thanks so far but there has to be a rule for it.

R'as

[Togakure]

Hi all,

... Examples: "Most students arrive on the campus by feet or car." or "You can go there on foot" ...

R'as

"... by foot or by car" would work. I would use: "Most students walk to campus," or "Most student drive to campus," or "most students either walk or drive to campus." While the example you posted is easily understood, it would not often be used here, I think (in the USA).