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Grammar fix

drop by

visit briefly

To visit someone or somewhere for a short time, usually without planning ahead.

phrasal verbB1common

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • I might drop by your office after lunch if I have time.daily life
  • If I have some free time after work, I usually drop by my grandmother’s house to check on her.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: drop by (somewhere/someone's place)

WrongI'll drop by to your office.

RightI'll drop by your office.

'Drop by + place' directly — no 'to'.

Patterndrop by (somewhere/someone's place)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff I shall make a brief visitation later this afternoon.

Natural I'll drop by later.

'Make a visitation' is archaic; 'drop by' is the casual 'pop in' verb.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • drop by
    laterthe officefor a chatafter work

Don't confuse it

'Drop in' is similar, but 'drop by' often emphasizes the shortness and casualness of the visit.

Try it in Daily Speak →