drop by for a coffee

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drop by for a coffee" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used when you would like to invite someone to come visit you and have a cup of coffee. For example, you might write in an email, "If you're in the neighborhood, feel free to drop by for a coffee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Students have previously also seen Clinton himself stopping by to take a class and Joe Biden dropping by for a coffee.

The Guardian

My email was carefully crafted: I suggested "dropping by for a coffee" to give him an "update" on what I was up to.

The Guardian - Money

It turns out he lives in the next street and was happy for me to drop by for coffee.

The Guardian - Money

Here's how my methodology works: the "I'd-like-to-add-you-to-my-professional-network" opener is followed, on acceptance, by the now well-honed Wadhurst email about how great it would be to "catch up" and closing with the suggestion that I "drop by" for coffee some time.

The Guardian - Money

Chef Scott Cole (of The Monterey Store) used to be the chef at Pomo d'Oro, which was located in the same building that now houses Six Depot and likes to drop by for coffee.

HuffPost

The store's manager, Crystal Theall, said the shipyards' workers kept the store open in the winter, dropping by for hot coffee, meatball subs and good conversation.

The New York Times

Or drop by with coffee or a cool drink and be willing to step inside if invited.

Forbes

Others prefer to joke that he drops by for coffee.

The New York Times

"Honestly, it's a support group," said Sean M. Hackbarth, the Air Force lieutenant colonel, now retired, who started the gatherings of uniformed military and civilian defense workers and who still drops by for coffee when he's at the Pentagon.

The New York Times

Pollock, lumbering around as a busboy in the school's cafeteria, was very aware of visits from Arshile Gorky, who had once taught at the league and still dropped by for coffee.

The New York Times

September 25th Roger Ailes dropped by for a drink.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drop by for a coffee" when you want to suggest a casual and informal visit. It's perfect for friends, acquaintances, or colleagues you don't need to formally invite.

Common error

Avoid using "drop by for a coffee" in highly formal or professional contexts where a scheduled meeting would be more appropriate. This phrase is best suited for informal invitations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "drop by for a coffee" is to serve as an invitation or suggestion for a casual visit. Ludwig's examples show how the phrase is used to encourage informal social interaction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "drop by for a coffee" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for extending a casual invitation. It's best suited for informal settings and friendly relationships. Ludwig AI indicates that it's frequently found in News & Media, Science and Wiki. While authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian use it, remembering to consider the context and audience is essential to determine if a more formal invitation is needed. If formality isn't an issue, "drop by for a coffee" remains a welcoming and straightforward way to invite someone for a chat.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

come over for coffee

Focuses on inviting someone to one's place specifically for coffee.

stop by for coffee

Emphasizes the brevity and informality of the visit for coffee.

pop in for a coffee

Highlights the quick and spontaneous nature of the visit.

swing by for coffee

Implies a casual and convenient visit while passing by.

visit for a coffee

A more general term for having coffee during a visit.

join me for coffee

A direct invitation to have coffee together.

meet for coffee

Suggests a planned meeting specifically to have coffee.

have coffee together

Focuses on the act of sharing coffee, implying companionship.

grab a coffee

Implies a quick and casual coffee break.

coffee break

A general term for taking a break to have coffee.

FAQs

How can I use "drop by for a coffee" in a sentence?

You can use "drop by for a coffee" when inviting someone for a casual visit. For example, "If you're ever in town, feel free to drop by for a coffee."

What's a more formal alternative to "drop by for a coffee"?

For a more formal setting, consider alternatives like "I would like to invite you to "meet for a coffee"" or "Let's schedule a time to "have coffee together"".

Is it appropriate to use "drop by for a coffee" in a business setting?

It depends on the relationship. If you have a friendly rapport with a colleague or client, it can be fine. Otherwise, a more formal invitation might be better.

What's the difference between "drop by for a coffee" and "come over for coffee"?

"Drop by for a coffee" is more general and can apply to any location, while "come over for coffee" specifically implies inviting someone to your home or personal space.