drop a word

USAGE SUMMARY

"drop a word" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is conveyed in fewer words, like in a shorter version of a phrase or sentence. For example, "I used to drive my car to work" could become "Drive to work" if you drop a word.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Should someone drop a word as a reminder, Mr. Keith lights up and resumes his remarks with the fervor of a high school debater.

The New York Times

This was a group of and we hate to drop a word considered so naughty by some in the corporate world, but here it is.

Forbes

Apparently the magic number is 28 words, and the company was forced to drop a word from its copyright disclaimer in order to make room for the new link.

TechCrunch

Other times, he'd drop a word of encouragement or appreciation to anxious staff.

Huffington Post

McLaren or his friend Jamie Reid might drop a word like 'anarchy' or 'vacant' that Rotten seizes upon and turns into a manifesto, but McLaren is not the Svengali to Rotten he'd like to be perceived as.

Wikipedia

And if you can drop a word that your opponent doesn't recognize, boom.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Linander casually dropped a word to the wise: self-assembled furniture requires retightening over time.

The New York Times - Magazine

Forman dropped a word in Cecil's ear, and was immediately offered a position in the new company.

The Guardian

At one point, Lee suggested that Grant had inadvertently dropped a word from the document Grant had drafted by hand, and asked permission to insert it.

The New York Times - Travel

With classic games like Words With Friends, which is free, this feature makes chatting throughout a game easier, so you can express your feelings when someone gets 50 points by dropping a word on a triple-word-score square.

The New York Times - Tech

So we dropped a word that owned us, so that we could take ownership of it and use it as it should be used — as a verb, not a noun".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "drop a word" when you specifically want to emphasize that omitting a term or detail makes no change in meaning, context or significance.

Common error

Avoid dropping too many words in an attempt to be brief, as excessive omissions can lead to ambiguity or change the intended meaning. Maintain a balance between conciseness and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drop a word" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the action of omitting a single word from a sentence or text. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drop a word" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of omitting a single word, usually for brevity or clarity. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid and usable in English writing. While not exceedingly common, it appears across various contexts, including News & Media and Wiki sources. The key is to use this phrase mindfully, ensuring that clarity isn't sacrificed in the pursuit of conciseness. Related phrases include "omit a word" and "remove a word", offering alternative ways to express the same basic action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

omit a word

Focuses specifically on the act of leaving a word out.

remove a word

Similar to omit, but emphasizes the act of taking the word away.

leave out a word

Informal way of saying omit a word.

hint at something

Implies a subtle suggestion rather than a direct omission.

mention briefly

Focuses on a short or quick reference.

allude to something

Suggests an indirect reference.

let slip a word

Suggests unintentionally revealing something.

throw in a word

Suggests casually adding a word to a conversation.

insert a word

Highlights the addition of a word.

add a word

Directly implies making an addition.

FAQs

How can I use "drop a word" in a sentence?

You can use "drop a word" to describe the act of omitting a word to make a sentence shorter or more concise, for example: "The editor decided to "drop a word" from the title to fit the layout better".

What does it mean to "drop a word"?

To "drop a word" means to omit or leave out a word, often to simplify a sentence or message. This can also imply a casual or unintentional omission.

What are some alternative ways to say "drop a word"?

Some alternatives to "drop a word" include "omit a word", "remove a word", or "leave out a word", depending on the context.

Is it always okay to "drop a word" for brevity?

While brevity is often desirable, it's not always appropriate to "drop a word". It's important to ensure that the omission doesn't compromise clarity or change the intended meaning of the sentence.