dropped by

USAGE SUMMARY

"dropped by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone is visiting you or that you are visiting someone. For example: "I dropped by their house to say hello."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Ford dropped by 28%.

The Economist

Mel Is Dropped by Disney.

The New Yorker

Cabbage prices dropped by 65%.

The Economist

Celebrities dropped by.

The Guardian

Homicides dropped by 30%.

The Guardian - Opinion

The price of coffee dropped by 11%.

The Economist

Housing starts dropped by 11.4% in October.

The Economist

Friends dropped by; noise complaints followed.

The New York Times

Unemployment dropped by more than half.

The New Yorker

China's dropped by 16 percent that year.

The New York Times

And the price has dropped by $100.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dropped by" to convey a casual, informal visit. It's suitable for everyday conversation and informal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "dropped by" in formal contexts where a more deliberate and planned visit is implied. Opt for phrases like "paid a visit" or "formally visited" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dropped by" functions as a phrasal verb, combining the verb 'drop' with the preposition 'by'. Ludwig examples show it primarily indicating a casual or brief visit. It is used to describe the action of making a short, often unplanned, visit to a place or person.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "dropped by" is a common and informal way to describe a casual or brief visit. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, highlighting its prevalence in news and media sources. When writing, ensure that "dropped by" aligns with the context's formality, opting for more formal alternatives when necessary. Remember, the best practice is to use "dropped by" in informal settings and to avoid it when a more deliberate and planned visit is implied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

came by

A direct synonym for dropped by.

stopped in

Indicates a quick visit, often without prior arrangement.

swung by

Suggests a casual and quick visit, often while en route to somewhere else.

popped in

Suggests a very brief and casual visit.

visited briefly

Implies a short visit, similar to dropping by.

called in

Similar to stopped in, but can also imply a visit for a specific purpose.

paid a visit

A more formal way to say dropped by, suggesting a deliberate visit.

looked in on

Implies checking on someone or something during a visit.

made an appearance

Indicates a brief and often public visit.

chanced to visit

Suggests an unplanned and unexpected visit.

FAQs

What does "dropped by" mean?

"Dropped by" means to visit someone or some place briefly and casually, often without a prior arrangement.

What can I say instead of "dropped by"?

You can use alternatives like "stopped in", "came by", or "visited briefly" depending on the context.

Is "dropped by" formal or informal?

"Dropped by" is considered an informal way to say that you visited someone. It's best used in casual conversations or writing.

How to use "dropped by" in a sentence?

You can say, "I "dropped by" my friend's house yesterday" or "Several celebrities "dropped by" the event".