stopping by

USAGE SUMMARY

"stopping by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are visiting someone or something, or to indicate an intention to visit someone or something. For example, "I'm just stopping by to see how you're doing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Producers were stopping by.

The New York Times - Style

Thanks for stopping by, Ms. Boosler.

The New York Times

Stopping by the pizza shop.

The New York Times

Well, thanks for stopping by.

The New York Times - Sports

Thank you for stopping by".

The New Yorker

Please check library hours before stopping by during winter break.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Stop by whenever!

The New Yorker

Stop by for a look.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Stop by and see us!

Cornell University

Stop by and say hello!

Columbia University

Stop by throughout the event!

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stopping by" when you want to convey a casual and brief visit. It's suitable for friendly and informal communication.

Common error

Avoid using "stopping by" in highly formal or professional communications where a more formal term like "visiting" or "calling on" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stopping by" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun in a sentence. Ludwig shows it is used to describe the action of making a short visit. The gerund form allows it to be used as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

18%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "stopping by" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to describe a casual or brief visit. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's versatile and suitable for various contexts, although it leans towards informality. While prevalent in News & Media and Academia, it is rare in more formal settings. For those seeking alternatives, phrases like "visiting" or "dropping in" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality and nuance. When writing, consider your audience and the level of formality required to ensure appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

visiting

Direct synonym; a straightforward alternative, focusing on the act of visiting.

popping in

Implies a very brief and often unexpected visit.

dropping in

Informal synonym suggesting a casual, unplanned visit.

swinging by

Similar to dropping in but can also imply a quick visit while en route to somewhere else.

coming over

Indicates movement to a location, often someone's home.

paying a visit

Slightly more formal way of saying "visiting".

calling on

Formal term, typically used to describe an official visit.

making an appearance

Used when someone is visiting for an event or public gathering.

showing up

Simply means arriving, but can be used in the context of a visit.

checking in

More frequently related to hotels or airports, but can also mean a quick visit to see how someone is doing.

FAQs

What does "stopping by" mean?

"Stopping by" means making a brief or casual visit to a place or person. It implies that the visit is not long or formal.

What can I say instead of "stopping by"?

You can use alternatives like "visiting", "dropping in", or "coming over" depending on the context.

Is "stopping by" appropriate for formal emails?

While generally acceptable, in highly formal contexts, consider using more professional terms such as "visiting" or "meeting with".

How do you use "stopping by" in a sentence?

You can say, "I'm just stopping by to see how you are", or "Feel free to stop by my office anytime".