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A foot in a verse is a combination of two or more syllables arranged according to the properties of each syllable1.
List of Feet in English Poetry
Below is a list of feet of two and three syllables.3 4 5 6 7 I use the “ictus and x” notation where
- / refers to a stressed syllable, and
- x refers to an unstressed syllable.
* – Scott & Taylor do not consider that these form “any part of English verse”.3
** – I did not list feet of four syllables because at least one author simply classifies them as combinations of disyllabic feet.
Traditional Usage
Traditionally, and in poetry in several other cultures, syllables were differentiated by their length, where a long syllable was considered to be twice the length of a short syllable,2 however in modern English poetry the the accent has come to be used instead, i.e. whether the syllable is stressed or unstressed when spoken.
References
- Leverett, F. P. (1832). The new Latin tutor. Hilliard, Gray, Little and Wilkins.
- Pinnock, W. (1830). A comprehensive grammar of the English language
. Printed for Poole and Edwards. - Scott, J. & Taylor, J. (1823). The London Magazine
. Harmsworth Brothers Ltd. - (1823). Encyclopaedia Britannica; or A dictionary of arts, sciences, and miscellaneous literature. 6th Ed. Printed for Archibald Constable and Company.
- Jani, et al. (1828). The art of Latin poetry. Printed for W.P. Grant, and Simpkin and Marshall, London.
- Lyne, R. (1825). The Latin primer. Printed for G.B. Whittaker.
- Anthon, C. (1838). A grammar of the Greek language: for the use of schools and colleges. Harper & brothers.
