drop him off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drop him off" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone takes another person to a particular location and then leaves them there. For example, "I'm going to drop him off at his house on the way to the store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I'll drop him off on the way to work.

The New York Times

"Just drop him off at the hospital or somewhere.

The New York Times

Did Dany drop him off so he could primly observe?

The New Yorker

DRIVER: I am about to drop him off.

The New Yorker

The next morning, she calls to tell me she'll drop him off.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mr. Azor told the police, "We found a place to drop him off".

The New York Times

She arranges to have the bus drop him off at a small hotel.

The New Yorker

8 05 Travel to son's friend's house to drop him off for sleepover.

The New York Times

"I flew there to drop him off and flew back the same day".

The Guardian - Music

James stops in front of the store to drop him off.

The New Yorker

He ended the lesson half an hour early — asked the instructor to drop him off somewhere on Broadway.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase specifically for people or objects that you are transporting by vehicle. It conveys a sense of convenience or routine.

Common error

Do not say 'drop off him'. While you can say 'drop off the passenger', you cannot place a pronoun after the particle in this specific phrasal verb construction. Incorrect: 'I will drop off him at the station'. Correct: 'I will drop him off at the station'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drop him off" functions as a transitive phrasal verb in a separable structure. In this context, 'drop' is the base verb, 'him' is the direct object pronoun, and 'off' is the adverbial particle. According to Ludwig AI, the placement of the pronoun between the verb and particle is syntactically mandatory in English grammar.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academic

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "drop him off" is a highly frequent and grammatically correct phrasal verb in modern English. Based on data from Ludwig, it is primarily used in News & Media contexts to describe the act of transporting someone to a destination. The most critical rule for writers to remember is the separable nature of this verb: the pronoun 'him' must always be placed in the middle. Whether used in a casual conversation about school runs or in professional journalism to describe a taxi ride, "drop him off" remains the standard idiomatic choice for this action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

let him out

Emphasizes the person exiting the vehicle rather than the act of leaving them at the destination

leave him

Focuses on the departure and abandonment of the location without implying the prior transportation

deliver him

Sounds more formal and sometimes clinical as if the person is a package or cargo

bring him to

Focuses on the arrival at the destination rather than the act of leaving him there

transport him

Used in more official or logistical contexts to describe moving someone between locations

escort him

Implies a more protective or formal accompaniment during the journey

set him down

Suggests a more literal or physical placement of the person

give him a lift

Focuses on the favor of providing transportation rather than the specific end point

release him

Implies the person was being held or was under someone's control

abandon him

Carries a negative connotation of leaving someone in a state of neglect

FAQs

How do I use "drop him off" in a sentence?

You can use it when you are taking someone to a place and leaving them there, such as: "I'll "drop him off" at the airport on my way to work".

Is it correct to say "drop off him"?

No, when using a pronoun like 'him', you must separate the verb. It is better to use ""drop him off"" than the incorrect "drop off him".

What is the difference between "drop him off" and "let him off"?

While similar, ""drop him off"" implies you have driven him to a specific destination, whereas "let him off" focuses on the moment he exits the vehicle, often upon his request.

Can I use "leave him" as a synonym?

Yes, though "leave him" is less specific about the act of driving or transportation compared to "drop him off".