dropping by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dropping by" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a casual visit or stop at someone's place, often without a formal invitation. Example: "I was just dropping by to see how you were doing and to catch up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dropping by, he'd said.

The New Yorker

I stopped dropping by the temple.

The New Yorker

Boyfriends and neighbors were dropping by.

The New Yorker

Many thanks for dropping by.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many thanks to Paul for dropping by.

The Guardian

But these days journalists keep dropping by.

The New York Times

She is dropping by for a visit today.

The New York Times

Next week, the Backstreet Boys will be dropping by.

The New York Times

Ross lends books to Isobel, dropping by her home.

The New Yorker

Life will never be the same without Jeff dropping by.

The New York Times

Teenage pregnancy is down, dropping by almost half since 1998.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dropping by" to convey a sense of informality and spontaneity in your writing. It works well in casual conversations and narratives where a visit is unplanned or brief.

Common error

Avoid using "dropping by" in formal business correspondence or academic papers. Opt for more professional alternatives like "visiting" or "meeting" to maintain a suitable tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dropping by" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating a short, often unplanned visit. Ludwig shows its widespread usage in various contexts, highlighting its role in everyday language.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dropping by" is a common phrasal verb used to describe a casual, often unplanned visit. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and finds frequent use across various platforms, notably in news and media. While it is suitable for informal and neutral contexts, more formal language may be preferred in professional or academic settings. When considering alternatives, options like "popping in" or "swinging by" offer similar connotations. It's best to reserve "dropping by" for occasions that don't require a high degree of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

swinging by

Implies a casual and impromptu visit.

popping in

Suggests a brief and often unexpected visit.

coming round

British English equivalent of visiting.

visiting casually

Emphasizes the informal nature of the visit.

looking in

Indicates a brief and informal check-up visit.

making a quick visit

Highlights the brevity of the visit.

calling in

Suggests a short visit, often for a specific purpose.

stopping over

Indicates a brief visit during a journey.

coming over

General term for visiting someone's place.

paying a call

More formal way of saying visiting.

FAQs

What does "dropping by" mean?

"Dropping by" means making a casual or informal visit to someone's place, often without prior arrangement.

What can I say instead of "dropping by"?

You can use alternatives like "visiting casually", "popping in", or "swinging by" depending on the context.

Is "dropping by" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "dropping by" is generally considered informal. In formal contexts, use alternatives such as "visiting" or "calling at".

How do I use "dropping by" in a sentence?

Example: "I was just "dropping by" to see how you were doing."