stopped off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stopped off" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a brief visit or break in a journey, often at a specific location. Example: "On our way to the beach, we stopped off at a local diner for breakfast."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

DuBose was stopped off campus.

The Guardian

3. Taiwan's president stopped off in Hawaii.

The Washington Post

He had also stopped off at a diner for lunch.

The New York Times

He stopped off in Missoula, for a couple of years.

The New Yorker

Stopped off in Chicago to see Loeb and Leopold.

The New Yorker

As recently as 2004, just 5% had stopped off there.

The Economist

They stopped off for quite a long time at Margaret's.

The New Yorker

He also stopped off to have a chat with a Channel 4 news presenter.

Independent

The Beatles and the Rolling Stones stopped off at service stations after gigs.

The Economist

"We were emigrating to Australia," she says, "and we stopped off in Bali".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"He stopped off and came up to the camp to have a look for himself.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stopped off" to clearly indicate a brief and often unplanned visit during a journey or activity. For instance, "We stopped off at the bakery for a quick snack."

Common error

Avoid using "stopped off" when referring to a final destination or a prolonged stay. The phrase implies a temporary interruption, not a permanent halt or end point.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "stopped off" functions as a dynamic descriptor, indicating a brief interruption in a journey or activity for a quick visit. Ludwig confirms this is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stopped off" is a phrasal verb used to describe a brief visit during a journey, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is considered grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, especially in news and media. While versatile, it's important to understand the context to avoid misuse, particularly in formal settings where alternatives like "briefly visited" may be more appropriate. When writing, remember that "stopped off" implies a temporary interruption, not a final destination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made a stop

Focuses on the action of stopping, omitting the 'off' particle, suggesting a simple pause in transit.

briefly visited

Replaces the phrasal verb with a verb phrase, emphasizing the short duration of the visit.

popped in

An informal alternative that highlights the casual and quick nature of the visit.

called in

Implies a stop for a specific purpose, like checking in or delivering something.

dropped by

Similar to 'popped in', but can also indicate a less planned or more spontaneous visit.

paid a visit

A more formal way to say someone stopped, typically implying a slightly more structured or intentional stop.

broke the journey

Emphasizes the interruption of a longer trip, rather than the place visited.

took a break

Highlights the rest aspect of stopping rather than the location.

interrupted the trip

Focuses on the act of pausing a trip, not necessarily involving a specific location.

detoured

Suggests an unplanned change in route, indicating a stop that wasn't initially part of the plan.

FAQs

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

"Stopped off" is used to describe a brief visit during a journey. For example, "We stopped off at a café on the way to the museum."

What's a more formal alternative to "stopped off"?

More formal alternatives include "briefly visited" or "made a stop", which are suitable for professional contexts.

Is it correct to say "stopped by" instead of "stopped off"?

Yes, "stopped by" is a similar and often interchangeable phrase. Both indicate a short, often casual visit.

Can "stopped off" be used for online activities, or only physical locations?

While typically used for physical locations, "stopped off" can be metaphorically used for online activities if you want to mean that it's a short visit. An example could be: "I stopped off at that website to read the news."