a drive to achieve

USAGE SUMMARY

"a drive to achieve" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a strong will or ambition someone has to meet goals or succeed. For example, "She has a drive to achieve her biggest dreams, no matter the obstacles that stand in her path".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It wasn't until nearly a decade after I was diagnosed that a therapist told me that, not only was my eating disorder no one's fault, the personality traits that were driving the anorexia (perfectionism, attention to detail, a drive to achieve) could actually be beneficial.

The Guardian

Wootton says she had a drive to achieve: "For me, I didn't have a family that stuck together.

The Guardian

In 1970, he had mobilized the entire island in a drive to achieve a sugar harvest of 10 million tons.

The Washington Post

They exhibited a drive to achieve, but they worked through others, created strong teams, provided coaching, and focused on increasing the capability of the whole organization, not just their departments.

Harvard Business Review

"I coached Ross at Edinburgh and he's an extremely talented player with a superb work-rate and a drive to achieve".

BBC

The A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation's investments help hard workers with a drive to achieve, investing in grantees who build practical, immediate and concrete connections between effort and opportunity – from scholarship for engineering students to better schools for D.C.'s children, to veteran reintegration programs, and support of the D. C. community.

Johns Hopkins University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

HOUSTON — A warp drive to achieve faster-than-light travel — a concept popularized in television's Star Trek — may not be as unrealistic as once thought, scientists say.

Huffington Post

"It's such a fast-paced and challenging environment," explains Sims, "there has to be a real drive to achieve in everything you do".

The Guardian

Following the study participants as they aged, Terman observed a greater drive to achieve, along with greater mental and social adjustment, among the gifted group as compared with nongifted children.

Britannica

In the Bush administration, there appears to be an underlying drive to achieve political goals without regard to the ethical, moral or legal implications of how those goals are achieved.

The New York Times

By John Cassidy December 8, 2017 Paul Ryan has indicated that the tax bill is only a precursor to a renewed Republican drive to achieve other long-standing domestic priorities.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a drive to achieve" to describe someone's inherent quality or a general tendency toward accomplishment. It implies a consistent and internal motivation.

Common error

Avoid using "a drive to achieve" repetitively in close proximity. Vary your language by incorporating synonyms like "ambition", "determination", or "motivation" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a drive to achieve" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an internal characteristic or quality of an individual or entity, indicating a strong inclination towards accomplishment. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a drive to achieve" is a valid phrase used to describe a strong, internal motivation for success. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and appears in various contexts, including news, academia, and science. While versatile, it's crucial to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "ambition" or "determination" for variety. The phrase generally maintains a neutral to professional register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication while emphasizing inherent qualities. Understanding its nuances allows for effective and precise expression when describing someone's dedication to achieving their goals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a strong desire to succeed

Emphasizes the strength of the desire, focusing on success as the outcome.

a powerful ambition

Highlights the ambition aspect, suggesting a strong personal goal.

a great determination

Focuses on the resoluteness and firmness of purpose.

a high level of motivation

Emphasizes the motivational aspect, highlighting internal impetus.

an intense eagerness to accomplish

Stresses eagerness and focuses on the act of accomplishing something.

a relentless pursuit of goals

Highlights persistence and the continuous effort toward achieving objectives.

a keen aspiration

Focuses on aspiration, implying a strong hope or ambition.

a compelling urge to triumph

Emphasizes an internal urge and concentrates on triumph as the result.

a driving force

Uses a metaphorical expression to describe something that propels action.

an inner fire

Employs a figurative image to depict intense motivation and passion.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a drive to achieve" in a sentence?

Use "a drive to achieve" to describe someone's strong internal motivation for success. For example, "Her "drive to achieve" propelled her through many challenges".

What are some alternatives to "a drive to achieve"?

You can use alternatives such as "strong desire to succeed", "powerful ambition", or "great determination" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a drive to achieve" formal or informal?

"A drive to achieve" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "a drive to achieve" and "motivation"?

"Drive to achieve" implies an inherent, internal force pushing someone toward success, while "motivation" can be influenced by external factors. Drive is often seen as a more constant and intrinsic characteristic.