Same verb · different particle

“drop” phrasal verbs

Same verb, different particle, different meaning. Learn these 3 one at a time, then test yourself.

3 phrasal verbslisten & quiz

drop

off out

drop + by · 1 of 3

drop by

visit briefly

drop by sth
informal

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

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

I might drop by your office after lunch if I have time.

A: Are you home this evening?
B: Yeah, feel free to drop by if you want to hang out.

Common mistake

Not: I'll drop by to your office.

Say: I'll drop by your office.

'Drop by + place' directly — no 'to'.

More on “drop by”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

If I have some free time after work, I usually drop by my grandmother’s house to check on her.

Tell it apart

I'll drop by later for a chat.

pop in briefly, unplanned

I'll drop off the parcel on my way.

deliver it and leave

Goes with

drop by

Practice saying this

Next: drop off

drop + off · 2 of 3

drop off

take and leave

drop sb/sth off sth)

A scene showing “drop off” meaning “take someone somewhere and leave them”.

To take someone or something to a place and leave them there, usually by car.

How oftenVery common

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

Could you drop me off at the train station on your way to work?

A: Are you driving past the library?
B: Yeah, I can drop you off if you want.

Common mistake

Not: Can you drop off me at the corner?

Say: Can you drop me off at the corner?

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'drop me off'.

More on “drop off”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my hometown, parents usually drop off their children at school before going to work.

Tell it apart

Drop me off at the station.

take and leave me there

Pick me up at the station.

come and get me

Goes with

drop + person + off

Practice saying this

Next: drop out

drop + out · 3 of 3

drop out

leave school or a course early

drop out of sth

To stop attending school, college, or a course before you have finished it.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

He decided to drop out of university after his first year.

A: Did you hear about Sam? He dropped out of college last month.
B: Really? I thought he was enjoying his classes.

Common mistake

Not: He dropped out ~~from~~ school.

Say: He dropped out of school.

'Drop out OF' — not 'from'.

More on “drop out”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

If I could change one thing about my education, I would make it easier for students who drop out to return and finish their studies.

Tell it apart

He dropped out of college after a year.

quit before finishing

He graduated from college last year.

finished it

Goes with

drop out

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which “drop” fits?

Fill the gap

Which “drop” fits?

Read the sentence, then pick the phrasal verb that belongs in the gap.

Turn this into speaking practice

Pick one and say it out loud. Save the ones you mix up.

drop by drop off drop out