drops

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drops" is correct and usable in written English, depending on the context.
It can be used in various contexts, such as describing a decrease in quantity, a physical action of letting something fall, or in informal speech to indicate a sudden change or event. Example: "The temperature drops significantly at night, so make sure to dress warmly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Welcome to the US border town of Nogales, home to the largest fresh-produce gateway into the US – a Big Food superhighway where convoys of vast trucks roll in from Mexico, sometimes dumping mountains of crops into landfill if, for example, the price of Florida tomatoes suddenly drops.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Then Danny Alexander drops in in his capacity of secretary of state for Scotland and somewhere between the two meetings, the impression is given that they want to go further than the existing Scotland Act".

The Guardian

Can you bear sticking in eye drops and getting them to use nasal sprays?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Nose drops with antihistamines also relieve symptoms but they taste bitter.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Senior Tories have said that the prime minister will face a crippling rebellion unless he drops the threat, outlined last October by the former justice secretary Chris Grayling, to withdraw from the European convention on human rights if a series of changes were rejected.

The Guardian

This pattern is when a central midfielder drops deep to allow the fullback to push forward, with the winger then moving inside, in between the lines to pick up the ball in space.

The Guardian - Sport

Significant drops in high-fee-paying international students puts staff jobs at risk across the UK higher education sector.

The Guardian

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 8.49pm AEST11:49 23 min: My brother, Niall, drops me a line from the beer garden of Hotel Darwin to say the game is on the big screen... "and it's a lovely balmy dry season night.

The Guardian - Sport

The precision parachute drops and state-of-the-art aircraft were among the attractions of a military parade that was once the highlight of the country's National Day but which officials have not dared host since 2008.

The Guardian

Related story 13.06.2001: Murdoch drops in at Downing Street MediaGuardian.co.uk special report General election and the media.

The Guardian

There are some great scenes - worlds colliding at the cinema; Rhonda taking the initiative with Cedric; McNulty and Bunk's faces when the "dawg" penny drops - although the pace remains muted.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a rapid decline, consider using stronger synonyms like "plummets" or "collapses" to emphasize the severity of the fall.

Common error

In formal writing, avoid overuse of "drops"; instead, opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "decreases", "declines", or "reduces" depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "drops" is as a plural noun, referring to multiple instances of a liquid falling in small quantities. It can also function as a third-person singular verb, indicating the action of something falling or decreasing. Ludwig examples confirm both usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Lifestyle

21%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "drops" is a versatile term that functions both as a plural noun and a third-person singular verb. As Ludwig AI highlights, its usage is grammatically correct and broadly applicable. It commonly appears in news, lifestyle, and sports contexts to describe either small quantities of liquids or the action of falling or decreasing. While frequently used, it's important to consider the formality of the context; in formal settings, more precise alternatives like "decreases" or "declines" might be more appropriate. Ludwig examples show various uses and authoritative sources that further illustrate its flexibility in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

falls

Indicates a downward movement or decrease, similar to "drops" but often implies a continuous motion.

decreases

Refers to a reduction in quantity or intensity, offering a more formal alternative to "drops".

descends

Implies a downward movement from a higher point, akin to "drops" in contexts involving elevation.

plummets

Suggests a rapid and significant fall, conveying a sense of urgency or severity compared to "drops".

dwindles

Indicates a gradual reduction or decline, different from the suddenness often associated with "drops".

lessens

Means to become smaller or less intense, providing a milder alternative to "drops".

relinquishes

Implies the act of letting go or releasing something, related to "drops" in contexts of intentional release.

unloads

Refers to the removal of a burden or cargo, sharing a connection with "drops" when referring to releasing a load.

releases

Indicates the act of setting something free, akin to "drops" in the sense of allowing something to fall or be discharged.

eases

Implies a lessening of pressure or intensity, differing from "drops" by suggesting a gradual reduction rather than a sudden fall.

FAQs

How can I use "drops" in a sentence?

You can use "drops" to describe a decrease (e.g., "The temperature "drops" at night"), or the action of something falling (e.g., "He "drops" the ball"). The meaning depends on the context.

What words can I substitute for "drops"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "falls", "decreases", or "relinquishes" instead of "drops".

Is it correct to say "the price drops" or "the price decreases"?

Both "the price "drops"" and "the price "decreases"" are correct. "Drops" is more informal, while "decreases" is more formal.

What is the difference between "drops" and "plummets"?

"Drops" implies a general downward movement or decrease, while "plummets" suggests a sudden and significant fall. For example: "The stock price "plummets"" indicates a severe decline.