but he dropped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but he dropped" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an action that someone failed to complete or let go of something unexpectedly. Example: "He was about to catch the ball, but he dropped it at the last moment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But he dropped a broad hint.

The New York Times - Books

But he dropped out before graduating.

The New York Times

But he dropped out, citing medical reasons, and never returned.

The New Yorker

But he dropped out after his father died of cancer.

The New York Times

But he dropped the receiver and walked away.

The New York Times

But he dropped behind Mr. Romney and Mr. Santorum among voters 40 and older.

The New York Times

But he dropped out of the race with a gearbox problem after only 10 laps.

The New York Times

MacNelly attended the University of North Carolina, but he dropped out after four years.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But he dropped out of college and took a job at a cafe in Modesto.

The New York Times - Food

But he dropped out before the end of his freshman year.

The New Yorker

But he dropped the ball before landing, and Utley had a single.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but he dropped" to introduce a contrasting action or outcome, creating a sense of surprise or unexpected turn of events in your narrative. For example, "He aimed for a high score, but he dropped to ninth after a nervous performance."

Common error

Avoid using "but he dropped" when there is no clear contrast or unexpected change in the situation. Ensure the context clearly establishes a previous expectation or attempt that is then negated by the act of dropping. For example, don't use it if there was no prior indication he was holding something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but he dropped" functions as a conjunction introducing a contrasting action or result. It often follows an initial statement of intent or progress, and its purpose is to indicate an unexpected failure or downturn. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but he dropped" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to introduce a contrasting action or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely employed across various contexts, particularly in news and media. Its primary function is to highlight an unexpected failure or change in status, often implying disappointment. When writing, use "but he dropped" to introduce a clear contrast and avoid misusing it in situations where there is no established expectation or attempt. Consider alternatives like "however he dropped" or "although he dropped" for similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however he dropped

Synonymous replacement of "but" with "however", maintaining the contrastive meaning.

yet he dropped

Similar to "however", "yet" emphasizes a contrast or unexpected result.

though he dropped

"Though" also introduces a contrasting element, similar to "but".

although he dropped

"Although" is another conjunction indicating a contrast.

even though he dropped

Adding emphasis to the contrasting situation despite the action.

despite dropping it, he

Rephrasing to emphasize the action of dropping something, followed by a contrasting outcome.

nonetheless, he dropped

"Nonetheless" shows concession and introduces the fact that he dropped something.

still, he dropped

"Still" presents a fact that contrasts with a previous statement.

conversely, he dropped

"Conversely" indicates an opposite or reversed state of affairs.

on the other hand, he dropped

Expresses an alternative and contrasting point regarding the action.

FAQs

How can I use "but he dropped" in a sentence?

The phrase "but he dropped" is used to introduce a contrasting outcome, often involving failure or change. For example, "He was about to win the game, "but he dropped" the ball at the last second."

What are some alternatives to using "but he dropped"?

Alternatives include phrases like "however he dropped", "yet he dropped", or "although he dropped", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each alternative emphasizes the contrast or unexpected result in slightly different ways.

Is there a more formal way to say "but he dropped"?

While "but he dropped" is suitable for most contexts, a more formal alternative might be "however, he dropped" or "nevertheless, he dropped", which adds a more sophisticated tone to the sentence.

What does it mean when someone says "but he dropped the ball"?

While similar, the phrase "but he dropped the ball" is an idiom meaning someone failed to fulfill a responsibility or missed an opportunity, whereas "but he dropped" literally refers to the action of letting something fall from one's grasp.