dropped him off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dropped him off" is used and correct in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation in which someone or something is taken from one place to another. For example, "I drove to his house and dropped him off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I dropped him off," Slaughter recalls.

The Guardian

They dropped him off two miles outside Sancha.

The New Yorker

We dropped him off at a Senegalese cafeteria.

The New Yorker

"Dropped him off on West Street, close to ground zero.

The New York Times - Sports

Noble only dropped him off during his second year.

The Guardian

They dropped him off at a checkpoint in East Germany.

The Guardian

After dinner, his friends dropped him off at orchestra practice.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We drove home late and I dropped him off at his hotel.

The New Yorker

Twenty minutes later, the van dropped him off at the Allen Parkway Inn.

The New Yorker

"Just sat there unperturbed, looking out the window, until we dropped him off near the sea".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

My son was always smiling when I dropped him off--and when I arrived to pick him up.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dropped him off", ensure the context clarifies who is doing the dropping off and where the person is being left. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "dropped him off" when the location might have negative connotations (e.g., "I dropped him off at the police station"). In such cases, a more neutral phrasing like "took him to" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dropped him off" is that of a phrasal verb, acting as the predicate in a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this expression is correct and very common in English writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dropped him off" is a very common and grammatically correct phrasal verb used to describe the action of transporting someone to a location and leaving them there. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, though neutrality is key when the location carries potential negative implications. Predominantly found in news and media sources, understanding related phrases such as "gave him a ride" or "took him to" enhances writing versatility. Finally remember that the right order is "dropped him off" and not "dropped off him".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gave him a ride

Focuses more on the act of providing transportation.

took him to

Emphasizes the destination rather than the act of leaving him there.

left him at

Highlights the act of departure and can sometimes imply abandonment depending on context.

transported him to

A more formal way of saying the same thing.

conveyed him to

A highly formal and somewhat archaic version of the phrase.

chauffeured him to

Implies that someone was driven by a professional driver.

ferried him to

Suggests transportation over a short distance, often water.

delivered him to

More commonly used for objects or goods but can apply to people in certain contexts.

escorted him to

Suggests accompanying someone to ensure their safety or arrival.

relinquished him at

Implies a formal or official handover of someone.

FAQs

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

You can use "dropped him off" to describe the action of taking someone to a place and leaving them there. For example, "I "dropped him off" at school before going to work".

What can I say instead of "dropped him off"?

You can use alternatives like "gave him a ride", "took him to", or "left him at" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "dropped off him" instead of "dropped him off"?

No, the correct word order is "dropped him off". "Dropped off him" is grammatically incorrect. The pronoun should come before the preposition in this phrasal verb.

What's the difference between "dropped him off" and "left him at"?

"Dropped him off" generally implies a planned or casual departure. "Left him at" can suggest a more abrupt or even negative situation, potentially implying abandonment, depending on the context.