Stop at a place & stop by a place

Question

What is the difference between "to stop at a place" and "to stop by a place"?Thank you in advance for your kind help.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

"By" would typically be used for a familiar place or in a familiar conversation, for example:

"He's going to stop by my house tonight."

"I'm going to stop by the store on my way home. Is there anything you need?"

"At" is usually used in a more everyday fashion, for example:

"I have to stop at the office to pick up some folders."

"Stop at that corner and let me off there."

CalifJim · Answer

teal limeto stop at a place

When you stop at a place, you're thinking of it as your final destination. You want to do something there. You go there for that purpose.

We stopped at a waffle shop for breakfast.
They were running out of gas, so they stopped at a gas station.
On our vacation in Hawaii we took a tour that stopped at different points along the coast so we could snorkel.

teal limeto stop by a place

When you stop by a place, you are not thinking of it as your final destination. Often it is on your way to doing something else. Also, although you cannot just "stop at" without mentioning the place, you can just "stop by" if the place is clear from context.

Once a week Jerry stops by the ATM on his way to work.
Choir rehearsals start next Monday. If you are in the area before then, please stop by the church and pick up the music.
A beautiful flowerbed is currently on display at the library. To see it, please stop by.

CJ

Stop at a place & stop by a place

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