drive

USAGE SUMMARY

"drive" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as a noun, a verb, or an adjective. Example sentence: After a long day at work, I needed to drive home to relax.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Can you drive?

The Guardian - Music

"It was important for us to have somebody who had the drive, ambition and commitment to work as hard as it takes to take the club forward.

The Guardian - Sport

What I couldn't do on my own, however, was to drive a bargain like Yvonne could.

The Guardian - Travel

"The defendant committed himself to al-Qaida's conspiracy to kill Americans, and he worked to drive other people to that conspiracy".

The Guardian

"No single market should drive the growth and composition of a country's incoming postgraduate body," said Zainab Malik, director of research for British Council education intelligence.

The Guardian

Beach-ready and already relaxed, we headed west on a three-hour drive to Essaouira, the nearest coastal town to Marrakech, where we lunched at OceanVagabond, a laidback surfers' hangout.

The Guardian - Travel

Every day I drive my car, sometimes I get tickets.

The Guardian

The kernel is also expanded with kernel extensions (kexts) that allow it to manage hardware features like peripherals, graphics cards, bluetooth, Wi-Fi and the hard drive.

The Guardian - Tech

10am: hot drinks and cake at the Patchwork cafe The drive from Hobart into the heart of Tasmania is a pleasant one.

The Guardian - Travel

This video shows an innocent man at a bus stop, holding a takeaway pizza box, when a group of men drive by and snatch it from his hands.

The Guardian

"I just drive and ask people along the way; that's how you learn the roads here".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to storage devices, be specific, using "hard drive" or "flash drive" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "drive" when you specifically mean a "driveway", which is a private road leading to a house or garage. Always check your context to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "drive" functions as a versatile term in English, serving primarily as a noun to denote motivation or a journey, and as a verb indicating the act of operating a vehicle or compelling action. Ludwig AI shows the wide applicability of "drive" in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Travel

13%

Sport

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drive" is a highly versatile word in the English language, functioning as both a noun and a verb with multiple meanings ranging from physical action to internal motivation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. The word's prevalence in news and media, travel writing and sports reporting highlights its diverse applications. When using "drive", consider the context to ensure clarity, particularly distinguishing it from similar words like "driveway". Remember this word is widely used in diverse context, and should be used carefully.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivation

Focuses on the internal impetus rather than the external action or journey.

ambition

Highlights the desire for achievement and advancement.

push

Emphasizes effort and forward movement.

impel

Highlights the force that initiates or causes movement.

propel

Emphasizes a strong forward movement or advancement.

urge

Suggests a strong internal desire or need.

operate

Refers to the act of controlling or using a vehicle or machine.

excursion

Implies a short journey or trip for leisure.

road trip

Specific type of journey on the road.

tour

A planned journey, often for sightseeing.

FAQs

How can I use "drive" in a sentence?

You can use "drive" in various ways: as a verb (e.g., "I drive to work"), as a noun referring to motivation (e.g., "He has the drive to succeed"), or as a noun referring to a journey (e.g., "It's a long drive").

What are some synonyms for "drive" as a verb?

Alternatives for "drive" (as a verb) include "operate" (a vehicle), "push" (an agenda), or "motivate" (someone to act).

What can I say instead of "a long drive"?

You can use alternatives like "a long "road trip"", "a lengthy "journey"", or "a long "commute" depending on the context".

When should I use "drive" versus "motivation"?

"Drive" often implies action and forward movement, while "motivation" refers more to the internal desire or reason behind the action. For example, "He has the drive to succeed" focuses on his active pursuit, whereas "His motivation is success" emphasizes his reason for acting.