drive for

USAGE SUMMARY

"drive for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an aim or purpose, or to describe someone's effort in trying to reach a certain goal. For example: "She has a strong drive for success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I drive for her, too.

The New Yorker

We drive for a while.

The New Yorker

Drive for a Life.

Columbia University

I drive for hours.

The Guardian - Music

Big drive for Auburn right here.

The New York Times

Reformers call this the drive for professionalization.

The New York Times

I don't drive for pleasure.

The Guardian - Tech

Do you drive for Uber?

The Washington Post

The drive for more efficient chips continues.

Yale University

The drive for perfection is endless.

The Guardian - Sport

And the drive for all this work?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "drive for", ensure that the goal is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, "the drive for innovation" is more effective than just "the drive".

Common error

Avoid overusing "drive for" in formal or academic writing. While acceptable, substituting it with synonyms like "pursuit of", "endeavor to achieve", or "commitment to" can enhance the sophistication and variety of your prose.

Linguistic Context

"Drive for" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a noun, indicating a strong impetus or motivation towards a specific objective. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. For example, "the drive for success" indicates a strong desire to achieve success.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drive for" is a versatile phrase used to express a strong motivation or effort towards a particular goal. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts. While generally neutral in register, careful consideration of synonyms like "pursue", "aim for", or "strive for" can enhance writing precision and sophistication. Remember to clearly define the goal when using "drive for" to maintain clarity. With its frequent use and clear communicative purpose, mastering "drive for" can significantly improve your written and spoken communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strive for

Replaces "drive" with "strive", emphasizing effort and determination.

push for

Substitutes "drive" with "push", highlighting active promotion and advocacy.

campaign for

Emphasizes organized efforts towards a particular goal, like a political campaign.

work toward

Focuses on the process of making progress toward something.

aim for

Highlights the setting of a target or objective.

endeavor to achieve

Replaces "drive" with a more formal phrase, emphasizing a serious attempt to reach a goal.

pursue

A single-word synonym for "drive for", indicating active chasing or striving.

fight for

Highlights the struggle and effort involved in achieving something.

dedicate oneself to

Emphasizes commitment and focus on a specific cause or goal.

have a passion for

Focuses on the intense emotion and enthusiasm behind pursuing something.

FAQs

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

You can use "drive for" to express a strong motivation or effort towards a particular goal. For instance, "The company has a strong drive for innovation", or "He admires her drive for success".

What is the difference between "drive for" and "strive for"?

"Drive for" implies a strong, energetic pursuit, while "strive for" suggests persistent effort despite difficulties. Both can be used to describe working towards a goal, but "strive" often emphasizes overcoming obstacles.

What are some synonyms for "drive for" that I can use in my writing?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "pursue", "aim for", "push for", or "campaign for" to add variety to your writing.

Is it appropriate to use "drive for" in professional communication?

Yes, "drive for" is generally acceptable in professional communication. However, consider the specific context and audience. In highly formal settings, alternatives like "commitment to" or "pursuit of" may be more suitable.