I dropped him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I dropped him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is talking about ending a relationship or friendship with another person. Example: "After months of arguing, I finally decided that it was time to move on, so I dropped him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Then I dropped him.

The New Yorker

"I dropped him off," Slaughter recalls.

The Guardian

"He took all my shots, I dropped him multiple times".

The Guardian - Sport

"We drove home late and I dropped him off at his hotel.

The New Yorker

Jesse Lewis His father, Neil Heslin, said: "I dropped him off at school at 9am.

Independent

"He gave me the most beautiful smile that last moment that I saw him, when I dropped him off".

The New York Times

After dinner, I dropped him off at his apartment, in a quiet fishing village far from the bustle around Canaan.

The New Yorker

I dropped him a note and told him why I thought it was so important".

The New York Times - Sports

"I dropped him quickly," said Mr. Sellers, aware of the options and not ready for surgery.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Friday, I drop him at day care.

The New Yorker

He sings for us until I drop him to his destination.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I dropped him", consider the context to ensure the intended meaning is clear, as it can refer to both physical actions and ending relationships.

Common error

Avoid using "I dropped him" in ambiguous situations where the listener might misunderstand whether you're referring to a physical action or ending a relationship. Provide clarifying details to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I dropped him" functions as a declarative statement. According to Ludwig, it is considered correct. It typically consists of a subject pronoun ("I"), a past tense verb ("dropped"), and an object pronoun ("him").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I dropped him" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression with multiple potential interpretations. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable. It can signify a physical action, the termination of a relationship, or the cessation of contact. The context dictates the intended meaning. While acceptable in most scenarios, more formal situations may warrant alternative phrasing. The phrase is particularly prevalent in news and media, according to Ludwig's analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I let him go

Indicates allowing someone to leave or be free, either physically or emotionally.

I abandoned him

Emphasizes a complete and often sudden cessation of support or contact.

I parted ways with him

Indicates a mutual or agreed-upon separation.

I stopped seeing him

Focuses specifically on the end of a romantic or social relationship.

I discontinued contact with him

A more formal way of expressing the cessation of communication.

I gave him up

Suggests relinquishing someone or something, often with a sense of sacrifice.

I released him

Suggests freeing someone from confinement or obligation.

I finished with him

Suggests the completion of a task or relationship involving that person.

I set him down

Implies physically placing someone or something on a surface.

I unloaded him

Implies getting rid of something burdensome, potentially including a person.

FAQs

What does "I dropped him" mean?

The phrase "I dropped him" can have multiple meanings depending on the context. It can refer to physically dropping someone, ending a relationship, or ceasing contact with someone.

What's a less ambiguous way to say "I dropped him" when referring to a physical action?

To avoid ambiguity, you can use phrases like "I set him down" or "I accidentally dropped him" to specify the physical action.

How can I convey that I ended a relationship without using "I dropped him"?

You can use alternatives such as "I ended the relationship", "I stopped seeing him", or "I broke up with him" to clearly indicate the end of a relationship.

Is "I dropped him" appropriate in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "I dropped him" might be considered too informal for academic or professional writing. More formal alternatives include "I terminated contact with him" or "I ceased to associate with him".