had dropped off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had dropped off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something or someone was delivered or left at a specific location, often in the past. Example: "She had dropped off the package at the post office before heading to work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

By 2009 business had dropped off sharply.

The New York Times

The conversation had dropped off.

The New Yorker

That's why his traffic had dropped off.

The New York Times - Tech

Christie had dropped off the site's rankings altogether.

The New Yorker

He had dropped off to sleep after lock-up.

The Guardian - Opinion

By then my flute playing had dropped off but I'd sharpened up my keyboard skills.

The Guardian - Music

By week three, however, the audience had dropped off by a third.

The Guardian

The man had dropped off their child in the morning at the school.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Earlier that morning, Nathan had dropped off some beer, which he had gotten from a runner.

Vice

Mr. Wilhelm said organizing drives often took years and acknowledged that unionization successes had dropped off.

The New York Times

By 6 30 a.m., the team buses had dropped off the players at Giants Stadium.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To specify the location where someone or something was left, follow "had dropped off" with a prepositional phrase. For example, "She had dropped off the package at the post office."

Common error

Avoid using "had dropped off" when you mean someone has permanently disappeared or is missing. Opt for phrases like "had disappeared" or "went missing" instead to convey the intended severity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had dropped off" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating a completed action in the past perfect tense. It's used to describe various actions such as delivering something, a decline in something, or falling asleep. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had dropped off" is a versatile phrasal verb with multiple meanings, ranging from physical actions like delivering something or falling asleep to more abstract concepts like a decline in quality or attention. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in journalistic contexts. When writing with "had dropped off", ensure the context clearly indicates the intended meaning and avoid using it for permanent disappearances. Alternative phrases such as "had declined" or "had delivered" can provide greater precision in specific situations. Its prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian solidifies its status as a common and accepted phrase in modern English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had delivered

Focuses specifically on the action of delivering something to a location.

had left

Emphasizes the action of departing from a place or a state.

had declined

Highlights a decrease or reduction in quantity or quality.

had decreased

Indicates a general reduction in amount or intensity.

had fallen off

Suggests a decline, often gradual, from a previous level or standard.

had tapered off

Implies a gradual reduction or lessening in intensity or frequency.

had disappeared

Highlights the complete absence or vanishing of something or someone.

had faded away

Conveys a gradual disappearance or loss of visibility or importance.

had trailed off

Indicates a gradual decrease in volume or intensity, often in speech.

had dozed off

Suggests falling asleep unintentionally or briefly.

FAQs

What does "had dropped off" mean?

The phrase "had dropped off" has multiple meanings, including delivering someone or something, a decline in quantity or quality, or falling asleep. The specific meaning depends on the context.

How can I use "had dropped off" in a sentence?

You can use "had dropped off" to indicate that someone delivered something to a location (e.g., "She had dropped off the kids at school"), or that something has decreased (e.g., "His performance had dropped off recently").

What can I say instead of "had dropped off" to mean a decrease?

Alternatives for "had dropped off" when referring to a decrease include "had declined", "had decreased", or "had fallen off", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "had dropped off the radar"?

Yes, "had dropped off the radar" is an idiomatic expression that means someone or something has disappeared from public attention or is no longer being tracked or monitored.