drill

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'drill' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word to mean a tool used to make holes or to mean a practice exercise. For example: I used a drill to make a hole in the wall for the new shelf bracket. or The soldiers practiced their marching drills for hours.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Environment

Business

Lifestyle

Music

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The last demonstrated the purest skill, as he twisted into position to drill in after Nathan Aké's beautiful assist.

The Guardian - Sport

"Any firm proposing to drill for oil in the region knows it will face huge opposition - as happened at Balcombe, Fernhurst and Wisborough Green," said Brenda Pollack from Friends of the Earth.

The Guardian - Business

The Swans applied their trademark forward pressure, with Franklin unleashing from the centre square to drill a brilliant goal from 60 metres out before Heeney and Hannebery added to the spoils in the first term.

The Guardian - Sport

In her first interview since being appointed, Amber Rudd told the Sunday Times the government would push ahead with its promises to expedite the extraction of shale gas and change the law to allow frackers to drill beneath national parks.

The Guardian

By the time of my third, five months ago, I was a right bossy cow about what I wanted because I knew the drill.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unfortunately, accidents have shown that there is no safe way to drill for oil in deep waters and fisheries and tourism in the Canary islands will pay the consequences of this suicidal policy of the government".

The Guardian

This is not a drill; this is actually happening.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But the sheer relentlessness of their anger ("Elvis never meant shit to me... my heroes don't appear on no stamps") and cold scientific analysis of prejudice ("black father, white mother, black baby"), combined with the sound of a drill piercing your head, made for something urgent and spellbinding.

The Guardian - Music

"The Correa administration seems intent on trying to drill its way to prosperity, which has turned what was once pristine rainforest into a natural sacrifice zone crisscrossed by oil wells, roads and palm plantations," said Kevin Koenig of the group Amazon Watch.

The Guardian

In essence, he has merged George W Bush's "we're addicted to oil" remarks with Sarah Palin's "drill, baby, drill".

The Guardian

It is thought that they then forced open shutter doors and used a drill to bore a hole 50cm deep, 25cm high and 45cm wide into the vault wall.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In instructional contexts, use "drill" to convey a focused and repetitive training method.

Common error

Avoid using "drill" interchangeably with verbs like "explore" or "investigate" unless the context specifically involves creating a hole or engaging in repetitive practice. "Explore" implies a broader, less structured inquiry.

Linguistic Context

The word "drill" functions primarily as both a noun (referring to a tool or exercise) and a verb (meaning to create a hole or to train repetitively). Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Examples show its versatile usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Business

15%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Lifestyle

8%

Music

7%

Film

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "drill" is a versatile term with both noun and verb forms, denoting a tool for making holes, a repetitive exercise, or the action of performing either. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and frequent usage make it a reliable choice across various contexts. Key takeaways include its neutral register, its prominence in News & Media, Business and Sport, and the importance of context in determining its specific meaning. When writing, be mindful of potential confusion with similar verbs and ensure clarity by specifying the type of "drill" when relevant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bore

Focuses specifically on the action of making a hole.

exercise

Emphasizes the repetitive practice aspect.

practice

Highlights the training or rehearsal aspect.

rehearse

Implies a structured preparation or performance.

train

Suggests a more comprehensive learning process.

pierce

Implies penetrating something with a sharp object.

penetrate

Focuses on entering or passing through something.

instruction

Emphasizes the educational component.

coaching

Suggests guidance and mentorship.

preparation

Highlights the act of getting ready.

FAQs

How can I use "drill" in a sentence?

You can use "drill" as a noun, referring to a tool, or as a verb, meaning to make a hole or to practice something repeatedly. For example: "I need a drill to make a hole in this wall", or "The team will drill the fundamentals every day".

What can I say instead of "drill", when referring to practice?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "practice", "rehearse", or "train".

What is the difference between "drill" and "bore"?

"Drill" can refer to both the tool and the action of making a hole, or to repetitive training, while "bore" specifically refers to making a hole by removing material.

Is it correct to say "drill, baby, drill"?

"Drill, baby, drill" is a political slogan advocating for increased oil drilling. While grammatically simple, its appropriateness depends on the context and audience.