“Drop” vs. “Fall”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “drop” and “fall”

  • "Drop" can be either a deliberate or unintended action, whereas "fall" suggests an unintentional or accidental action.
  • "Drop" suggests something being released from a higher position, whereas "fall" suggests something moving from a higher to a lower position on its own.
  • "Fall" can be used when a person loses his or her balance and collapses, while "drop" is usually not used for people unless in extreme sports.
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What is the definition of “drop” and “fall”?

Drop
  • "Drop" refers to the act of letting something fall from one's hand or a higher position to a lower position.
  • It can also mean a small decrease or decline in the quantity or price of something.
  • "Drop" usually implies a deliberate action and can be used both as a verb and noun.
Fall
  • "Fall" refers to the act of moving or dropping down from a higher to a lower level, often unintentionally or accidentally.
  • It can also refer to a season starting from September, characterized by the falling of leaves.
  • "Fall" is mostly used as a verb, but it can also be a noun and used in different contexts like weather, sports, or academics.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Fall” is the more popular variant on the web.
Drop
1,870,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. I accidentally dropped my phone and now the screen is cracked.
  2. Could you drop off the package at the post office on your way home?
  3. The temperature will drop significantly overnight, so make sure to bundle up.
More popular
Fall
2,950,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. I tripped on the curb and fell flat on my face.
  2. The leaves on the trees are beginning to fall, signaling the start of autumn.
  3. After a sudden power outage, the elevator fell a few feet before stopping abruptly.
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