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Prepositions before nouns

Prepositions used with drop

Drop combines with several prepositions depending on meaning. Some combinations are standard, while others are limited or context-specific.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are common with drop?

Use of for quantity, as in a drop of water. Use by in expressions such as drop by drop. Use to after nouns like a drop to zero. With and for can appear in specific contexts. Drop itself is also a verb with different patterns.

There was a drop of rain on the window.
The medicine was added drop by drop.
Sales showed a sharp drop to 5%.
The soup comes with a drop of cream.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
drop of + substance

Showing a small amount

Use drop of for liquid or very small quantities.

Not a drop of milk was left.
She spilled a drop of oil on the table.
2
drop to + level

Showing reduction

Use drop to with numbers, levels, or states.

There was a sudden drop to freezing temperatures.
The company reported a drop to record lows.
3
drop by drop

Showing gradual movement

Use by in the fixed expression drop by drop.

The leak emptied the tank drop by drop.
The colour spread drop by drop through the water.
4
drop with + noun

Adding accompanying detail

With can introduce an added feature or substance.

She ordered tea with a drop of lemon.
The recipe uses coffee with a drop of vanilla.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
drop of
a drop of blood
small amount of a substance
drop to
a drop to 20 degrees
reduction to a level
drop with
tea with a drop of honey
an added ingredient or feature
drop for
a drop for charity
possible in special contexts about delivery or collection, not a fixed combination
drop by
drop by drop
gradual process in a fixed expression

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using of after change amounts

Use to for the new level after a decrease.

✕ There was a drop of 10%. ✓ There was a drop to 10%.

Using by drop in free combinations

The fixed expression is drop by drop.

✕ The water fell by drop. ✓ The water fell drop by drop.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She added a drop ___ perfume to the mixture.
2. The temperature saw a drop ___ minus five.
3. The liquid leaked out drop ___ drop.

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Frequently asked questions

What does drop of mean?

It means a very small amount, usually of liquid.

Is drop by drop a fixed phrase?

Yes. It describes something happening gradually.

Can drop be a verb and a noun?

Yes. The patterns in this page focus mainly on the noun.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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