drops down

USAGE SUMMARY

"drops down" is a correct and usable phrase in written English, and it can be used in various contexts.
One common usage is to describe something or someone falling or moving downward in a sudden or quick manner. For example: - The raindrops gently fell from the sky and dropped down onto the grass. - As the elevator descended, my stomach dropped down with each passing floor. - The acrobat gracefully climbed the rope, then dropped down to the ground in a dramatic finale. It can also be used figuratively to describe a decrease in something, such as a decrease in temperature or mood: - The temperature suddenly dropped down to freezing, causing the plants to wither. - The atmosphere in the room dropped down as soon as the boss entered. - The market crashed and stock prices quickly dropped down, causing panic among investors.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

WCA also rapidly drops down to 28°.

Surface and Coatings Technology

And the whole stage simply drops down below the front.

Independent

Similarly, thermal conductivity drops down with the ratio of ENG decreasing.

International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer

And then as the waveform drops down, the capacitor discharges through the resistor.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A crow drops down for a moment, black, rabbinical garb, croaking Kaddish.

The New York Times - Books

He drops down closer to the car, noting a squashed Coke can under his front tire.

The New Yorker

"Then when it drops down into the area that we're at, that's not good enough".

The New York Times - Sports

His mouth drops down and forms a slightly elongated oval, like a stretched Cheerio.

The New Yorker

Suddenly a metal scaffold drops down by the windows, and hangs there.

The New York Times

That's why it has a rope that drops down, with a table on the outside".

The New York Times

Continue past Crowden Tower then follow the footpath as it drops down into Grindsbrook.

The Telegraph

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drops down" to vividly describe quick, downward movement or a sudden decrease. For more formal contexts, consider "descends" or "decreases".

Common error

While "drops down" is acceptable in many contexts, overuse in formal or scientific writing can make your prose sound less sophisticated. Opt for more precise alternatives like "diminishes" or "descends" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drops down" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, combining the verb 'drop' with the adverb 'down'. It describes a downward movement or decrease. Ludwig examples show both literal and figurative usage, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

32%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drops down" is a common and versatile phrasal verb used to describe both physical descents and figurative decreases. While grammatically correct and widely used, its register leans towards neutral to informal, suggesting that more formal alternatives might be preferable in academic or professional writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, examples from Ludwig showcase its broad applicability across diverse contexts, with frequent appearances in news, science, and general knowledge sources. When writing, consider context and intended tone to use effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

goes down

This is a more casual alternative indicating a reduction or downward movement.

falls

This is a simpler and more direct synonym, indicating a sudden or uncontrolled downward movement.

descends

This is a more formal synonym that implies a gradual or controlled downward movement.

lowers

This indicates a controlled act of reducing height or position.

decreases

This term suggests a reduction in quantity, value, or intensity rather than a physical descent.

reduces

This refers to a decrease in size, amount, or intensity.

plummets

This implies a rapid and significant fall, often suggesting danger or crisis.

sinks

This implies a gradual descent into a liquid or soft substance, or a decline in condition.

dips

This suggests a brief or shallow decline, often followed by a recovery.

tumbles down

Suggests a chaotic and uncontrolled fall, often implying a lack of stability.

FAQs

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

You can use "drops down" to describe a physical descent, as in "The bird drops down to catch its prey", or a decrease in value, like "The stock price drops down after the announcement".

What's a synonym for "drops down" when describing a decrease?

When describing a decrease, you could use alternatives like "decreases", "diminishes", or "reduces".

Is "drops down" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "drops down" is generally more suitable for informal contexts. For formal writing, consider more precise and sophisticated alternatives like "descends" or "diminishes".

What is the difference between "drops down" and "falls"?

"Drops down" often implies a controlled or deliberate descent, whereas "falls" can suggest a sudden or uncontrolled movement.