they drop by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they drop by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone visiting someone else informally or unexpectedly, often for a short period of time. Example: "Yesterday, they drop by to see how I was doing and ended up staying for dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Occasionally they drop by with no notice at all.

The New York Times

Really, every once in a while they drop by to talk about a bill on the Federal Aviation Administration.

The New York Times

Summer reading isn't for everyone, as a brood of cupcake-eating children explain to Cassie when they drop by Fool's House.

The New York Times - Books

That can be something as simple as configuring the control rods that regulate the speed of a reaction so that they drop by gravity rather than having to be inserted.Both Dr Moniz's preconditions are beginning to be met.

The Economist

The permanent re-election campaign happened: members of Congress now regard Capitol Hill as a place they drop by on breaks from fund-raising and town meetings, so that instead of forging constructive relationships, Congress is often about striking poses.

The New York Times

It's a little bit of normality – a secondhand doll or football for your children or a Quality Street to offer a friend when they drop by – at a time when it's especially needed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

This season they dropped by four.

The Guardian - Sport

They dropped by regularly during patrols in Skenderaj.

The New York Times

There are other reasons, some of the Grizzlies said last week, when they dropped by Continental Arena to lose to the Nets.

The New York Times - Sports

From October 2007 to June 2010, MRSA infections in intensive care units at the 153 V.A. hospitals in the program dropped by 65 percent; in nonintensive care units they dropped by 45 percent.

The New York Times

While in the south-east of England average rents rose by 3.3% month-on-month to £787, in the east of England they dropped by 0.8% to £739.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they drop by" to convey a sense of informality and spontaneity in visits. It's suitable for casual conversation and less formal writing contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "they drop by" in formal business correspondence or academic papers. Opt for more formal alternatives such as "they visit" or "they call" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they drop by" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action. It describes the act of visiting someone casually or without prior arrangement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they drop by" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English used to describe a casual or unplanned visit. Ludwig AI analysis shows it to be correct, though relatively rare in occurrence, primarily appearing in News & Media contexts. While perfectly acceptable in informal conversation, it may not be the best choice for formal writing. Consider alternatives like "they visit" or "they stop by" for more formal settings. Remember to keep the context in mind when deciding whether to use this informal phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they visit

This alternative is a general term for going to see someone.

they stop by

This alternative is very similar, implying a brief visit.

they come over

This alternative indicates a visit to someone's home.

they pop in

This alternative implies a quick and informal visit.

they call in

This alternative suggests a brief visit, often for a specific purpose.

they swing by

This alternative indicates a casual and spontaneous visit.

they arrive

This alternative is a more general term for reaching a destination.

they appear

This alternative emphasizes the unexpected nature of their arrival.

they materialise

This alternative conveys a sense of sudden and unexpected appearance.

they show up

This alternative indicates that they attended without necessarily having been planned.

FAQs

What does "they drop by" mean?

The phrase "they drop by" means that someone is making a casual or unplanned visit, often for a short period of time.

What can I say instead of "they drop by"?

You can use alternatives like "they visit", "they stop by", or "they come over" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "they drop by"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in informal contexts.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "they drop by"?

It's best used in informal settings, like casual conversations or personal emails, to describe someone visiting in a relaxed and unplanned manner.