Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

Vin21 · Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 132

drop by
drop in
drop into
stop by
swing by

What are the differences between them?
Does "swing by somewhere" mean return somewhere you've been before and then you go again?
Thanks!

Bob S. · Joined: 29 Apr 2004 Posts: 1767 Location: So. Cal

bud · Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 2111 Location: New Jersey, US

Also, I wouldn't use drop into. I think into changes the focus of the sentence from going to the destination - the focus instead becomes the act of entering the destination. (I don't know if that is very clearly stated, though.)

The other three are equivalent and are different from swing by. In these cases, the object is your main destination, and most often it implies for only a brief time (swing by also is usually for a short while).

Vin21 · Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 132

Thanks Bob S., bud

I first thought that "swing by" meant to move back and forth,as on a swing. Now I understand.

bud · Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 2111 Location: New Jersey, US

This is how I think it works:

(i) If the main purpose of the sentence (or clause) is to show that someone or something is inside of something else, then in is used.

The hat is in the box.
The stray cat lives in the garage.
The girl is in the car.

In each example, we don't learn anything about how they got there, and it isn't important. The important thing is, "Where are they?"

(ii) If the main purpose is the "going" from outside to inside, then into is used.

She put the hat into the box.
The stray cat moved into the garage. (It made its home in the garage.)
The girl got into the car.

In each of these examples, the most important issue is the transition from outside to inside.

Is that any clearer? If so, it is why I don't think drop into is the same as the other expressions. Drop in focuses on "being there" for a little while. To me, drop into would be focusing on "getting there" more so than "being there."

Drop into is an expression with a different meaning, though. If you're washing a car, you drop your sponge into the bucket when you're ready to grab the hose to rinse it off.

I hope that better explains it, but ask away if it doesn't.

Vin21 · Joined: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 132

It couldn't be clearer,bud.
I got it.Thanks! Very Happy

bud · Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 2111 Location: New Jersey, US

Thanks, Vin!