dropped out

USAGE SUMMARY

"dropped out" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate someone has left an activity, such as an educational program, or that something has been removed from a larger group or list. Example: She dropped out of school after her second year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Both dropped out).

The New York Times

(Her brother dropped out).

The New York Times

(Ultimately, he dropped out).

The New Yorker

Three dropped out before completion.

European Neuropsychopharmacology

Cuttings dropped out by gravity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Eventually, he dropped out".

The Guardian

(She later dropped out).

The New York Times - Style

Eight (9.4%) dropped out before completion.

European Neuropsychopharmacology

Toshiba dropped out, Katzenberg.

TechCrunch

Dropped out: Mississippi (8).

Los Angeles Times

Dropped out: Syracuse (25).

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about someone discontinuing their studies, use "dropped out" to clearly and concisely convey that they left the educational program before completion.

Common error

Avoid using "dropped out" in formal contexts where a more professional term like "withdrew" or "resigned" might be more suitable, especially when referring to a job or official position.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dropped out" functions as a verb phrase, specifically the past tense of the phrasal verb 'drop out'. As Ludwig AI shows, it signifies the act of leaving or withdrawing from something, typically an activity or group, before completion. This usage is supported by numerous examples in the provided data.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

33%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dropped out" is a commonly used and grammatically correct verb phrase that indicates the act of leaving or withdrawing from an activity, program, or group before its completion. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, highlighting its widespread presence across varied sources. Its neutral tone makes it appropriate for a wide range of contexts, although more formal terms may be preferable in professional settings. Analysis of usage patterns reveals that the phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, followed by Science and Academia.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

withdrew from

Indicates a formal or official removal from something, often implying a prior commitment.

left prematurely

Highlights the early or untimely nature of the departure, focusing on the timing.

abandoned the course

Specifically refers to leaving an educational course, emphasizing a lack of completion.

resigned from

Suggests a formal termination of a position or membership, implying a voluntary decision.

quit the program

Implies a more informal departure, often from a structured activity or plan.

bowed out

Suggests a graceful or strategic withdrawal, often to avoid further involvement.

opted out

Highlights a conscious decision not to participate, implying a choice among alternatives.

stepped down

Indicates a voluntary relinquishing of a position, typically in a formal setting.

bailed out

Conveys an abrupt or urgent departure, often to escape a difficult situation.

deserted the team

Implies a leaving of a collaborative group which may involve neglect of a previously assumed responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "dropped out" in a sentence?

You can use "dropped out" to indicate that someone left an activity before completing it. For example: "He "dropped out" of college to start his own business."

What's a less direct way to say "dropped out"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "withdrew from", "left prematurely", or "discontinued participation" as alternatives to "dropped out".

Is it correct to say "drop out from" instead of "dropped out of"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "dropped out" in most contexts is "of". "Dropped out of" indicates leaving a group or activity, such as "dropped out of school".

What's the difference between "dropped out" and "flunked out"?

"Dropped out" implies a voluntary decision to leave a program, while "flunked out" means someone was forced to leave due to failing grades or not meeting requirements.