drop across

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drop across" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is often used as a phrasal verb, meaning to happen or occur unexpectedly or by chance. Example: I was walking in the park when I dropped across an old friend from high school. We hadn't seen each other in years.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(4) Steepness: this measure shows quickly the sense scores drop across labels.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

The pressure drop across the pedestal arrays was measured.

International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer

The pressure drop across the foam was measured.

International Journal of Thermal Sciences

The pressure drop across the bed follows the Ergun equation.

Process Safety and Environmental Protection

But on Friday, temperatures are likely to drop across the UK.

Independent

At more positive potentials, the potential drop across the Helmholtz layer became dominant.

Electrochimica Acta

Capacity loss is found to increase with increasing potential drop across the SEI layer.

Electrochimica Acta

An experimental setup was designed to visualize particle deposition and measure pressure drop across the exchanger.

Applied Thermal Engineering

Energy consumption of a filtration system depends largely on the pressure drop across the air ducts.

Journal of Building Engineering

The pressure drop across the atomizer has been kept constant in all simulations.

International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow

Quantitatively, there is a visible difference in the predicted non-dimensional pressure drop across the turbine.

Renewable Energy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends or changes, use "drop across" to emphasize a sudden and noticeable decrease or decline. For instance, "The temperature will "drop across" the region overnight".

Common error

Avoid using "drop across" in highly formal or technical writing where more precise terminology might be required. For example, instead of saying "Profits "drop across" all sectors", use "Profits decreased significantly across all sectors".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "drop across" functions primarily as a descriptive term indicating a sudden reduction or decline. Examples from Ludwig show its application in describing changes in pressure, temperature, or other measurable quantities. Ludwig AI validates the usage as correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drop across" is a phrasal verb used to describe a sudden and noticeable decrease or decline. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and finds frequent use in scientific and technical contexts, although it also appears in news reporting. When writing, remember that while generally acceptable, it might be wise to opt for more precise terminology in highly formal settings. Consider alternative phrases like "decrease sharply" or "decline suddenly" depending on the nuances you wish to convey. The best practice is to use "drop across" when you want to emphasize the abruptness and magnitude of the change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall over

Expresses a sudden movement downward or a change in level.

decrease suddenly

Implies an immediate and rapid reduction.

decline sharply

Indicates a significant decrease or reduction.

plummet downwards

Conveys a strong sense of rapid descent or decline.

subside quickly

Suggests a rapid decrease in intensity or level.

slump abruptly

Indicates a sudden and significant decline, often in a negative context.

reduce drastically

Highlights a substantial decrease or reduction.

descend rapidly

Focuses on the speed and direction of the decline.

lower swiftly

Suggests a fast and efficient decrease.

collapse quickly

Implies a sudden and complete failure or decline.

FAQs

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

You can use "drop across" to describe a sudden decline or decrease, as in "The pressure will "drop across" the system if the valve is opened".

What's an alternative to "drop across" that implies a more gradual change?

For a gradual change, consider using alternatives like "decrease gradually" or "decline steadily", which suggest a slower rate of change.

Is "drop across" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "drop across" might be perceived as less formal. In formal contexts, consider using more precise terms like "decrease significantly" or "decline substantially".

What's the difference between "drop across" and "fall over"?

"Drop across" typically refers to a decrease or decline, whereas "fall over" generally describes a physical collapse or stumble. While both imply a downward movement, their contexts differ.