Drop in vs. drop by

[ronaldo]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #192 "Phrasal Verbs (D to F)", question 4

Cathy ......... her mother's house for a visit this past week.

(a) dropped
(b) dropped in
(c) dropped by

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #192 "Phrasal Verbs (D to F)", answer 4

Cathy dropped by her mother's house for a visit this past week.

Correct answer: (c) dropped by
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What is the difference between dropped in and dropped by?

[Alan]

Hi,

Both mean visit someone. Drop in is usually followed by at when you use an object and suggests you arrive without being expected and stay a little while. Drop by is also visit but suggests you arrive but soon leave to go on to somehere else.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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