he stops by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he stops by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone visits or comes to see someone briefly, often without a formal invitation. Example: "Whenever he's in town, he stops by to catch up with old friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

He stops by our table.

The New York Times - Food

"He stops by and talks to people all the time".

The New York Times - Arts

He stops by for dinner a few times a week.

The New York Times

He stops by sometimes to check on the bell-tower fund.

The New Yorker

He stops by Mama's several times a week because it grounds him.

The New York Times

Bald from chemotherapy, he stops by with his father to visit briefly.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

He stopped by all those.

Independent

Could he stop by?

The New York Times - Travel

He stopped by CNN, as well.

The New Yorker

He stopped by a picnic table.

The New Yorker

He stopped by no urban slums.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he stops by" to indicate a casual, often brief visit. It's suitable for informal contexts and everyday conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "he stops by" in formal writing or professional communication. Opt for more formal alternatives like "he visits" or "he pays a visit" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he stops by" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a phrasal verb, indicating a casual or brief visit. It combines the verb 'stop' with the preposition 'by' to create a new meaning. As shown by Ludwig, this construction is common in everyday language.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he stops by" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe a casual or brief visit. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples across various contexts, predominantly in news and media. While suitable for neutral to informal settings, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "he visits" in professional or academic writing. The phrase is widely understood and used, making it an effective way to convey the idea of a quick and often unplanned visit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he comes by

Very similar to the original phrase, almost interchangeable.

he pops in

Suggests a very brief and informal visit.

he swings by

Suggests a quick and convenient visit, often on the way to somewhere else.

he drops in

Implies a casual and often unexpected visit.

he calls in

Similar to "drops in", but can also imply a visit for a specific purpose.

he visits

Direct replacement, indicating a visit without specifying the duration or purpose.

he looks in

Implies a quick check or visit, often to see if everything is alright.

he checks in

Often implies a formal registration or a brief visit to ensure everything is in order.

he pays a visit

More formal way of saying "he visits".

he arrives

Simply states that he reached the location, without implying the visit's duration or purpose.

FAQs

What does "he stops by" mean?

The phrase "he stops by" means that someone pays a brief or casual visit to a place or person. It suggests an informal and often short duration of the visit.

What can I say instead of "he stops by"?

You can use alternatives like "he visits", "he drops in", or "he comes by" depending on the context.

Is "he stops by" formal or informal?

"He stops by" is generally considered informal. For formal situations, consider using phrases like "he visits" or "he makes a visit".

How to use "he stops by" in a sentence?

You can use "he stops by" to describe someone making a casual visit, for example: "He stops by the office every Tuesday to say hello."