swing by

USAGE SUMMARY

"swing by" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to mean "stop in briefly" or "stop by quickly". For example, "I'm going to swing by the store on my way home to grab a few things."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Outsiders didn't often swing by.

The New Yorker

SWING, by Rupert Holmes.

The New York Times

She probably can already swing by herself.

The New York Times

Or, swing by the Kitchen this week.

The New York Times

But it doesn't swing by itself.

The Guardian - Opinion

He could swing by, he thought.

The New Yorker

He would swing by with a friend.

The New York Times

I'll swing by her flat and we'll eat and chat.

Independent

I'll swing by as soon as I get a minute.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Zach Braff swung by, as did Monica Lewinsky and Vanessa Hudgens.

The Guardian

Furthermore, the possibility of gravitational assisted maneuvers (swing-by) was considered to reduce fuel consumption.

Acta Astronautica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "swing by" when you want to convey a sense of informality and brevity in your visit. It's suitable for casual conversations and less formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "swing by" in highly formal or professional communications. Opt for phrases like "visit briefly" or "stop by" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "swing by" is as a phrasal verb, specifically acting as an intransitive verb indicating an action of visiting a place or person briefly. According to Ludwig, it's a valid and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Academic

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "swing by" functions as a casual and common way to express a brief visit. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While widely used, it's best suited for informal or neutral contexts. For more formal communication, alternatives like "stop by" or "visit briefly" are more appropriate. Its high frequency in news and media reflects its prevalence in everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stop by

This is a very close synonym, emphasizing a brief stop.

pop in

This suggests a quick and informal visit.

drop in

This alternative suggests a casual and unplanned visit.

call in

This implies a short visit for a specific purpose.

come over

This implies visiting someone's place.

look in

This suggests a quick check or visit.

visit briefly

This is a more formal way of saying "swing by".

make a quick visit

This is a more descriptive way of saying "swing by".

check in

Suggests a formal registration or a brief visit.

pay a visit

This is a more formal and general way of saying "swing by".

FAQs

What does "swing by" mean?

The phrase "swing by" means to make a brief, informal visit to a place or person. It suggests a quick stop, often without prior arrangement.

How to use "swing by" in a sentence?

You can use "swing by" in a sentence like, "I'll "swing by" your office after lunch to discuss the project".

What can I say instead of "swing by"?

You can use alternatives like "drop in", "stop by", or "visit briefly" depending on the context.

Is "swing by" appropriate for formal communication?

While "swing by" is widely understood, it's generally more suitable for informal contexts. In formal settings, consider using alternatives like "visit briefly" or "stop by".