Friday, January 9, 2009 2:47 PM by anonymous
Hi,Is there any difference between 'stop by' and 'stop in at' here?
1.I need to stop in at the library.
2.I need to stop by the library.
Thank you.
Friday, January 9, 2009 6:28 PM by Fandorin
I guess not. One of the meaning of the "stop in" is "to stay in a room because as a punishment".If you do not stop talking, all of us will stop in the class until evening.
Friday, January 9, 2009 7:00 PM by Goodman
Hi,Stop in- is not a clearly recognizable phase in the US to my knowledge.
You can say, however, I am going to stop by the bank later meaning you have a small bank errand which requires you to make a short stop for. Stop by/ Drop by hints a short -time notion.
I need to stop by the library. This is perfectly ok.
Friday, January 9, 2009 7:36 PM by AlpheccaStars
There are sevaral phrasal verbs with "stop" - stop by, stop off, stop over, and stop in - that have similar meanings. Here are dictionary examples:stop over, to stop briefly in the course of a journey: Many motorists were forced to stop over in that town because of floods. Our tour will stop over briefly in Turin to see the famous shroud.
stop in, to make a brief, incidental visit: If you're in town, be sure to stop in.
stop by, to make a brief visit on one's way elsewhere: I'll stop by on my way home.
In your example, "stop by" is the most fitting.
Saturday, January 10, 2009 1:41 PM by anonymous
Hi,Thanks all of you for your replies.
The example "I need to stop in at the library." is from online dictionary, is it not a good phrase here?
The dictionary says it means "to make a short visit to a place or person, especially while you are going somewhere else.
Therefore, I think it has the same meaning as 'stop by'. But I'm not so sure about it.
Are the two phrases interchangeable?
Thanks.
Saturday, January 10, 2009 1:46 PM by anonymous
He stopped by/dropped by the store on his way home.
Is there any subtle difference between 'stop by' and 'drop by' here?
Thanks.
Saturday, January 10, 2009 1:55 PM by Yankee
Hi AnonAnonymousIs there any difference between 'stop by' and 'stop in at' here?To me, there is little [if any] real difference in meaning between your sentences, and I might use either one to say exactly the same thing.
1.I need to stop in at the library.
2.I need to stop by the library.
Look at definition 3 for the intransitive verb "stop" here .
Saturday, January 10, 2009 3:02 PM by anonymous
YankeeTo me, there is little [if any] real difference in meaning between your sentences, and I might use either one to say exactly the same thing.Thanks Yankee!
Could you please tell me what the lillte real difference in meaning in my sentences here?
Saturday, January 10, 2009 4:53 PM by Yankee
Hi AnonIn my neck of the woods, I think your two sentences could and would be used interchangeably.
There is perhaps a tiny bit more of a sense of making a short, possibly unplanned stop in the middle of a longer trip when you use "stop by". However, you could use "stop in" that way too, so I don't think it's actually possible to give you any absolute, clear-cut difference. To me, it's mainly a matter of your own personal preference.