as we drove

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as we drove" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or event that occurred while driving, often to set the scene or provide context in a narrative. Example: "As we drove through the countryside, the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lynne Tillman moaned as we drove north.

The New Yorker

"I could hear the wind as we drove," he beamed.

The New York Times

As we drove on, the rain forest grew impenetrable.

The New York Times - Travel

"Are you married?" she asked as we drove.

The New Yorker

Cain was still laughing cruelly as we drove off.

The New Yorker

I asked Temple about this as we drove away.

The New Yorker

As we drove, I realised how bad the situation was.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Everywhere is market," Stephen Omojoro said as we drove around.

The New Yorker

As we drove, a police car began to trail us.

The New York Times

As we drove towards them, the elephants moved away.

The Guardian

As we drove to the airport, nobody spoke.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as we drove" to smoothly integrate a concurrent action or observation within a narrative. For example, "As we drove past the fields, we saw deer grazing peacefully."

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses inconsistently within the same sentence when using "as we drove". Ensure that the other verb in the sentence aligns logically with the past tense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as we drove" functions as an adverbial clause of time, indicating when another action occurred. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it sets the temporal context for the main clause, describing events or observations made during a car journey. Examples from Ludwig show its widespread use in narrative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as we drove" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to set the scene and provide context in narratives, particularly in news and media. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as an adverbial clause of time, indicating that something occurred during a car journey. You can also use alternatives such as "while we were driving" or "during our drive" to vary your writing. Remember to maintain consistent tenses and avoid ambiguity when using this phrase. The high frequency of examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The New Yorker demonstrates its widespread acceptance and utility in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while we were driving

Replaces "as" with "while" and uses a more explicit verb form, emphasizing the duration of the driving.

whilst driving

A slightly more formal or British English alternative to "while driving".

on the drive

Similar to "during our drive" but more concise.

as we were traveling in the car

Expands the original phrase with more detail, specifying the mode of transport and the act of travelling.

during our drive

Shifts the focus to the drive itself, using a noun phrase to describe the period of time.

during the car ride

Another variation focusing on the ride itself.

as the car moved

Emphasizes the movement of the car rather than the act of driving.

traveling by car

Highlights the mode of transportation.

en route

A more formal way of saying "while traveling", often used in professional contexts.

in the car

Focuses on the location rather than the action of driving.

FAQs

How can I use "as we drove" in a sentence?

Use "as we drove" to describe something that happened or was observed during a car journey. For instance, "As we drove through the mountains, the scenery was breathtaking."

What can I say instead of "as we drove"?

You can use alternatives like "while we were driving", "during our drive", or "on the drive", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "as we were driving" instead of "as we drove"?

Yes, "as we were driving" is grammatically correct and very similar in meaning to "as we drove". The former is a bit more explicit and emphasizes the continuous action of driving.

What's the difference between "as we drove" and "after we drove"?

"As we drove" indicates that something happened during the drive, whereas "after we drove" implies that something happened subsequently, once the driving was completed. The first relates two simultaneous actions, the second relates sequential actions.