it dropped by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it dropped by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a decrease in quantity, value, or level, often in a casual or conversational context. Example: "The temperature dropped by five degrees overnight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

If it continues to fall and there are good reasons for thinking it might the consequences could be grim.Although the dollar fell a bit against the euro in its first days of trading, it dropped by far more against the yen.

The Economist

The mirror image of this trend can be seen in the evolution of capital per worker: it dropped by about 10percentt between 1990 and 1992, before rebounding to its initial level by 1995, and then growing very quickly in the second part of the decade.

IZA Journal of Migration

It dropped by one, was that right?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Between March and April, it dropped by 342,000.

The Washington Post

Was it dropped by a glacier or tossed by Arthur?

The Guardian

For girls, it dropped by 4 percent to 1,755 calories a day.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

In Mr Nordhaus's model, it drops by 2%.

The Economist

It drops by 70% after three years doing 12,000 miles a year.

The Guardian - Money

It drops by 69% after three years, or £9.70 a day.

The Guardian - Money

The rain-hit Tuesday saw it drop by almost 4,000, the biggest so far.

The Guardian - Sport

They don't present the information in slabs but release it drop by drop, and expect us to work out the truth for ourselves.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting numerical changes, ensure that the units of measurement are clearly specified to avoid ambiguity (e.g., "It dropped by 10 percent", "It dropped by 5 degrees Celsius").

Common error

Avoid using "dropped by" to describe an increase. "Dropped by" specifically indicates a decrease. For increases, use phrases like "increased by", "rose by", or "grew by".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it dropped by" functions as a verb phrase indicating a decrease in a specific measure or quantity. As Ludwig indicates, it's a common way to express reduction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

27%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it dropped by" is a versatile phrase used to describe a reduction in quantity, value, or level. Ludwig AI validates that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, ensure that the units of measurement are clear and avoid using it to describe an increase. For alternatives, consider "it decreased by", "it fell by", or "it declined by", choosing the most appropriate option based on the context and nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it decreased by

Emphasizes a general reduction or decline, often used in formal contexts.

it fell by

Similar to "it dropped by", but can sometimes imply a more significant or sudden decline.

it declined by

Suggests a more gradual or persistent decrease over time.

it reduced by

Focuses on the action of reducing something, rather than the state of being reduced.

it diminished by

Implies a lessening or weakening, often used when something is becoming less important or significant.

it lessened by

Similar to "diminished by", but often refers to a decrease in intensity or severity.

it contracted by

Frequently used in economic contexts to describe a shrinking economy or market.

it slumped by

Suggests a sudden and significant drop, often used in informal contexts.

it receded by

Implies a movement backward or away from a previous level.

it eased by

Suggests a slight or gradual decrease, often used in financial or economic reporting.

FAQs

How can I use "it dropped by" in a sentence?

Use "it dropped by" to describe a decrease in quantity, value, or level. For example, "The price "it dropped by" 10%" or "The temperature "it dropped by" several degrees".

What can I say instead of "it dropped by"?

You can use alternatives like "it decreased by", "it fell by", or "it declined by" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it dropped down by" instead of "it dropped by"?

While understandable, "dropped down by" is somewhat redundant. The word "dropped" already implies a downward movement, so ""it dropped by"" is generally preferred for conciseness.

What's the difference between "it dropped by" and "it was dropped by"?

"It dropped by" describes a decrease, while "it was dropped by" implies something was released or abandoned by someone or something. The meanings are completely different.