[General] to stop by to watch /to stop to watch /to stop watching

[kompstar]

Are the sentences below correct and do they mean the same? If they don't mean the same how is the different?

1. He stopped by to watch the kids.
2. He stopped to watch the kids.
3. He stopped watching the kids.

 

[emsr2d2]

There is no similarity in their meanings (they are all grammatically correct). Tell us what you think they mean.

 

[kompstar]

There is no similarity in their meanings (they are all grammatically correct). Tell us what you think they mean.

I’m not sure...

1. That means he went (walked), stopped and watched the kids.
2. It means the same like the first sentence for me.
3. That means he didn’t watch the kids any longer.

 

[teechar]

I’m not sure...

1- Look here:
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/stop-by-somewhere?q=stop+by

2- Look at A2 here:
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/stop

3- Look at A1 here:
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/stop