can drive

USAGE SUMMARY

"can drive" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when talking about someone's ability to operate a vehicle. For example, "Tom can drive a car, but he isn't old enough to get his license yet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He can drive it.

The New York Times - Sports

"Maury can drive.

The New Yorker

It can drive you mad.

Independent

"It can drive the programs".

The New York Times

They can drive a wedge".

The New York Times

You can drive it places".

The New York Times

They can drive anyone crazy.

Independent

That can drive Auriemma crazy.

The New York Times - Sports

She can drive wildly".

The New York Times

Brooklyn Beckham can drive?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Those girls can drive!

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can drive" to indicate ability, ensure the context clearly specifies what is being driven (e.g., "He can drive a car", "She can drive change").

Common error

Avoid using "can drive" in purely figurative contexts without ensuring the reader understands the intended meaning. Overuse may lead to confusion, especially if a more precise verb better conveys the intended action or influence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can drive" primarily functions as a modal verb indicating ability or possibility combined with a main verb expressing an action. Ludwig examples showcase its usage both literally, referring to operating vehicles, and figuratively, denoting influence or causation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can drive" is a versatile phrase primarily used to indicate the ability to operate a vehicle or the capacity to influence an outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in English. Usage spans across various contexts, including News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science, with a generally neutral register. Remember to consider the clarity of your sentence to ensure the audience grasps the intended meaning, whether literal or figurative. While alternatives like "is able to drive" exist, "can drive" remains a concise and commonly used choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is able to drive

Emphasizes the ability to operate a vehicle or the capacity to propel or influence something.

knows how to drive

Highlights the knowledge and skill required for driving.

is capable of driving

Stresses the competence and potential for driving.

is permitted to drive

Focuses on the legality or authorization to drive.

is authorized to drive

Specifically refers to having official permission or sanction to drive.

has the capacity to drive

Emphasizes the inherent capability to drive, whether literally or figuratively.

is qualified to drive

Highlights that someone has met specific requirements to drive.

is allowed to drive

Focuses on the permission granted to drive.

has the right to drive

Indicates that someone possesses the legal or moral entitlement to drive.

may drive

Suggests possibility or permission to drive.

FAQs

How do I use "can drive" in a sentence?

"Can drive" indicates the ability or permission to operate a vehicle or influence a situation. For example, "He "can drive" a car" or "Her passion "can drive" change".

What's a more formal way to say "can drive"?

In more formal contexts, you could use alternatives like "is able to drive", "is authorized to drive", or "has the capacity to drive" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Which is correct, "can drive" or "is able to drive"?

Both "can drive" and "is able to drive" are correct, but "can drive" is generally more concise and common. "Is able to drive" may be preferred in more formal or emphatic contexts.

What does it mean when someone says something "can drive" an outcome?

In a figurative sense, "can drive" means that something has the power or ability to cause or influence a particular outcome. For example, "Innovation "can drive" economic growth".