stop by
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle by
Meanings
Make a brief, often unplanned visit
Why “by”? Something stays near another thing.
“Leo stopped by the pharmacy on his way back from lunch.”
“Nina stopped by after dinner.”
Don't confuse with
Test yourself
“Leo stopped by the pharmacy on his way back from lunch.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
stop in
A contrast learners often mix up
Visit a place briefly on your way somewhere
stop over
A contrast learners often mix up
Stop somewhere briefly during a longer journey
come by
Same by pattern: beside
Pay a brief visit to someone; Get or find something, often when it is difficult
drop by
Same by pattern: beside
Make a brief, casual visit
sit by
Same by pattern: beside
Take a seat close beside someone
stand by
Same by pattern: beside
Wait, ready to act if needed; Stay loyal to what you said or promised; Watch without intervening
stay by
Same by pattern: beside
Continue to support or remain near someone
swing by
Same by pattern: beside
Visit briefly while travelling between places
Tell it apart
Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “stop by”.
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