What are the definitions of “stop in”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Stay at home.
I was feeling tired so I STOPPED IN last night.
- 2Visit briefly.
I STOPPED IN at my aunt's after work.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “stop in”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb stop in is to stay at home, usually for a short period of time or for the evening. It can also mean to visit someone briefly, often as a quick stop during a journey or while running errands.
What are the different verb forms of “stop in”?
| Root Verb | stop in |
| Third Person Singular Present | stops in |
| Present Participle | stopping in |
| Simple Past | stopped in |
| Past Participle | stopped in |
Example
I usually stop in for a few minutes to rest after work.
Example
She stops in at the coffee shop every morning.
Example
He is stopping in to say hello before he leaves town.
Example
Yesterday, they stopped in at the store to buy some snacks.
Example
We had stopped in at the bakery to pick up some pastries.
What kind of phrasal verb is “stop in”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Intransitive verb
“stop in” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
I was feeling tired, so I stopped in last night.
Example
She stopped in at her aunt's house after work.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“stop in” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
I was feeling tired, so I stopped in last night.
Example
She stopped in at her aunt's house after work.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “stop in”?
Good things to know
Does “stop in” have an informal or formal tone?
Stop in is a neutral to informal phrasal verb. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and casual contexts. It can also be used in more formal settings, depending on the specific context. For instance, when discussing a brief visit to a colleague's office, it can have a more formal tone. However, in most cases, stop in is considered an informal phrasal verb used in everyday speech.
