drops by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drops by" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone visiting a place or person informally and without a prior appointment. Example: "She often drops by my house on weekends to catch up over coffee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The conductor Christoph Eschenbach drops by.

The New Yorker

The fifth colleague drops by a lot.

The New York Times - Arts

United's stock drops by 4percentt.

The Washington Post

Hence the sensitivity drops by a factor of three.

Nature

Others prefer to joke that he drops by for coffee.

The New York Times

A man named Samuel Farr mysteriously drops by.

The New York Times - Books

Zeh drops by the tower every now and then.

The New Yorker

Attendance drops by over 5% and profits fall by 28%.

The Guardian - Travel

Frank Sinatra drops by to sing a song or two.

The New York Times - Books

Finally, my supervisor, Sarah, drops by my desk.

The New Yorker

Ms. Battle drops by to greet the students.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drops by" to convey a sense of informality and spontaneity in a visit. For planned visits, consider more formal alternatives such as "visits" or "meets".

Common error

Avoid using "drops by" in formal writing or professional communication, as it suggests a casualness that may be inappropriate. Instead, use more professional terms like "visits" or "attends".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "drops by" functions as an intransitive verb, describing an action performed by a subject. It indicates a casual visit or appearance. As Ludwig AI states, it is used to describe someone visiting a place or person informally and without a prior appointment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drops by" is a commonly used phrasal verb that indicates a casual, often unplanned visit. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for informal contexts. While versatile, it's best reserved for informal or neutral communication, avoiding its use in formal writing or professional correspondence. Related alternatives include "stops in", "pops in", and "visits casually". Remember to use more formal alternatives like "visits" or "attends" in professional contexts. Top authoritative sources include The New York Times and The New Yorker.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stops in

Similar in meaning, but slightly more concise and informal.

swings by

Indicates a quick and often spontaneous visit, perhaps while on the way somewhere else.

pops in

Suggests a brief and often unexpected visit.

visits casually

Emphasizes the informality and lack of planning in the visit.

comes over

Implies a visit to someone's home or personal space.

calls in

Similar to "drops by", it emphasizes the brevity of the visit.

looks in

Focuses on the act of checking in or visiting briefly.

visits briefly

Highlights the short duration of the visit.

arrives unexpectedly

Emphasizes the surprise element of the visit.

makes an appearance

Suggests a formal but quick visit or presence.

FAQs

What does "drops by" mean?

"Drops by" means to visit someone or a place informally and often without a prior arrangement or appointment. It implies a casual and often brief visit.

What can I say instead of "drops by"?

You can use alternatives like "visits casually", "stops in", or "pops in" depending on the context.

Is "drops by" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "drops by" is generally not appropriate for formal writing. It is better suited for informal conversations or writing. Use "visits" or "attends" in formal contexts.

How can I use "drops by" in a sentence?

You can use "drops by" in a sentence like this: "He often "drops by" the coffee shop after work." or "The professor sometimes "drops by" our study group to offer advice."