stopped by

USAGE SUMMARY

"stopped by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a brief visit or to indicate briefly that someone brought something to a place or person. Example sentence: I stopped by the store on my way home to grab some snacks.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I stopped by before Christmas.

The New York Times

A neighbor, Sammy Vaknin, stopped by on Tuesday.

The New York Times

Villagers sometimes stopped by.

The New York Times

"But I stopped by.

The New York Times

Hess stopped by.

The New Yorker

The liver team stopped by.

The New York Times

He stopped by all those.

Independent

I stopped by at lunchtime.

The New York Times - Arts

Ted Turner has stopped by.

The New York Times

Sting has stopped by.

The New York Times - Arts

Louis Armstrong stopped by.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stopped by" to indicate a brief, often unplanned visit, emphasizing the informality and brevity of the encounter. For example, "I stopped by the bakery to pick up a loaf of bread" conveys a quick visit while en route to another destination.

Common error

While "stopped by" is suitable for informal settings, avoid it in formal writing or professional communication. Instead, opt for more formal alternatives like "visited" or "made a visit" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stopped by" functions as a verb phrase indicating a brief or casual visit. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Examples show it describing visits to locations, people, or events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "stopped by" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe a brief or casual visit. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across various contexts, primarily in News & Media, Academia, and Science. When choosing an alternative, consider the level of formality required, as phrases like "visited briefly" or "came by" may be more appropriate depending on the situation. While versatile, it's essential to avoid overusing "stopped by" in overly formal contexts to maintain professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

came by

A more general term for visiting, less specific about the duration.

dropped in

Implies a casual and unplanned visit.

swung by

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

popped in

Similar to 'dropped in' but may imply an even shorter visit.

visited briefly

Focuses on the act of visiting, emphasizing its short duration.

called in

Suggests a visit with a specific purpose or task.

checked in

Similar to 'looked in on' but also implies a brief registration or confirmation.

looked in on

Implies checking on someone or something during the visit.

made a visit

More formal than "stopped by" and emphasizes the act of visiting.

paid a call

More formal, often used in official or respectful contexts.

FAQs

What does "stopped by" mean?

"Stopped by" means to visit a place or person briefly, often without a specific appointment or extensive planning. It implies a short and casual visit.

What's the difference between "came by" and "stopped by"?

While both phrases indicate a visit, "stopped by" emphasizes the brevity and informality of the visit more strongly than "came by". "Stopped by" suggests a quick detour, while "came by" can imply a slightly longer or more deliberate visit.

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

You can use "stopped by" to describe a brief visit. For example, "He stopped by the office to drop off the documents" or "I stopped by my friend's house on the way home".

What are some alternatives to "stopped by"?

Alternatives to "stopped by" include "visited briefly", "dropped in", "called in", or "came by", depending on the context and desired level of formality.