dropped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dropped" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been let fall or removed from a certain context or situation. Example: "The call was dropped unexpectedly, leaving us without a connection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Amy dropped what she was doing, went black in the eyes for a second and wheeled around on him.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The charges were dropped in 2007.

The New York Times

They consistently ridiculed the leaflets the Israelis dropped.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr David Wilkie, aged 35, was killed when a concrete block and a four foot long concrete post were dropped on his car from a bridge 20 feet above the A465 Heads of the Valleys road near Merthyr Tydfil.

The Guardian

It was a similar story for Battleship, an alien attack movie as American as McDonald's apple pie, which dropped anchor in 26 territories on 11 April, five weeks before it will dock on US shores.

The Guardian - Film

In the following year the town's population of about 4,000 dropped by nearly half, and as businesses and supermarkets closed, Qantas cut its services, and houses were left empty, the exodus began to take a toll on the mental health of those who stayed behind.

The Guardian

Goodes has volunteered to be dropped to Sydney's reserves side after just 15 frustrating minutes of game-time as an AFL sub last weekend.

The Guardian - Sport

In the audience was the "candy bomber" Gail Halvorsen, now 92, who, as an American airforce pilot, dropped sweets to children during the 1948-49 Berlin airlift, which kept the city's population alive during the Soviet blockade and which became the strongest symbol of US-German friendship.

The Guardian

Platinum refiner Johnson Matthey dropped 102p to £23.06 as third quarter profits fell 19% to £84.3m, hit by lower sales of catalytic converters for car exhaust systems in Europe and weak demand in Japan.

The Guardian - Business

Four weeks later while I was sitting at Heathrow airport, an email dropped into my inbox and told me I had lost.

The Guardian

Interestingly, Bill Shorten's support has dropped five points to 42 since his high of 47. Malcolm Turnbull continues to blitz the PM and any other Liberals for that matter.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dropped" to describe a decrease (e.g., "The temperature dropped"), consider adverbs like "sharply" or "slightly" for added precision.

Common error

Avoid using "dropt" as a past tense of "drop"; the correct form is "dropped". "Dropt" is archaic and non-standard.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dropped" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb "drop". It indicates a completed action of letting something fall, ceasing an activity, or being removed. Ludwig AI indicates that the usage of "dropped" is correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dropped" functions primarily as the past tense of the verb "drop", serving various communicative purposes across diverse contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage in written English. The analysis reveals a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. While the phrase is frequently seen in News & Media, it is less common in Formal & Business or Scientific contexts. Understanding its nuances and appropriate usage ensures clear and effective communication. Remember to avoid the misspelling "dropt", and choose synonyms carefully based on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dumped

A more informal term for getting rid of something quickly or carelessly.

relinquished

Implies a more formal or deliberate abandonment of something.

removed

A general term for taking something away from a particular place or position.

scrapped

Suggests that something has been cancelled or abandoned, often a plan or project.

discarded

Emphasizes the act of throwing something away because it's no longer useful.

abandoned

Suggests leaving something behind, often with a negative connotation.

withdrawn

Implies removing something, like an offer or a statement.

deserted

Conveys a sense of leaving someone or something in a helpless situation.

jettisoned

Often used in a nautical or aviation context, meaning to throw something overboard.

lowered

Indicates a decrease in value, level, or amount.

FAQs

How can I use "dropped" in a sentence?

"Dropped" is the past tense of drop, and can mean to let something fall, to stop including something, or to abandon something. For example, "She "dropped" the glass", or "The charges were "dropped"".

What can I say instead of "dropped" when talking about a phone call?

Alternatives to "dropped" when describing a phone call include "disconnected", "terminated", or "cut off".

When is it appropriate to use "dropped" in formal writing?

The term "dropped" is acceptable in formal writing depending on the context. For instance, describing charges being "dropped" in a legal context is perfectly appropriate. However, in some cases, a more formal synonym like "relinquished" or "abandoned" may be preferable.

What's the difference between "dropped" and "fell"?

"Dropped" implies an action, someone or something caused something to fall, while "fell" simply means something lost its balance and descended due to gravity. For example, "He "dropped" the pen" (intentional or accidental action), versus "The pen "fell" off the desk" (no specific actor).