drive forward

USAGE SUMMARY

"drive forward" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to mean that you are continuing forward in some endeavor, action, or journey. Example: After working on the project for a few months, we finally decided to drive forward and see it through to completion.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Drive forward," he said.

The New Yorker

It has to drive forward.

The Guardian

Croatia continued to drive forward.

The Guardian - Sport

They drive forward and win a penalty.

The Guardian - Sport

For Europe to drive forward it needs leadership.

The Economist

When Rooney departed, he continued to drive forward.

The Guardian - Sport

(It is Chunming who can only drive forward).

The New York Times - Books

"They want to drive forward their idea about Android," said Mr. Gartenberg.

The New York Times

The second half was more about getting the pack to drive forward.

Independent

They are slacker and more anecdotal, and their rhythms drive forward less compulsively.

The Economist

It will help drive forward innovation and breakthroughs in medical research".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drive forward" when you want to emphasize proactive and energetic advancement towards a goal or objective.

Common error

Avoid using "drive forward" in contexts where progress is being made passively or without direct effort. This phrase is most effective when highlighting active initiative.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "drive forward" primarily functions as a dynamic verb, indicating the action of propelling something or someone toward a specific goal or objective. Ludwig's examples show it is often used to describe the act of advancing projects, initiatives, or agendas.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drive forward" is a commonly used phrasal verb that signifies active and determined progress towards a goal. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media, science, and formal business settings. To use it effectively, emphasize the proactive effort being made and avoid using it in passive contexts. Consider alternatives like "move forward" or "push ahead" based on the specific nuance you intend to convey. Mastering the use of "drive forward" enhances clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

move forward

A more general term for advancing, applicable in a wide range of contexts.

push forward

Similar to "push ahead", but can also refer to physically moving something forward.

push ahead

Implies overcoming resistance or challenges to continue moving forward.

press on

Suggests continuing despite difficulties or obstacles, emphasizing perseverance.

advance further

Focuses on making additional progress, suitable in contexts where previous progress has already been made.

forge ahead

Implies creating a new path or pioneering progress in a particular area.

propel onward

Emphasizes the force and direction of movement but is more literary.

spur onward

Highlights encouragement and motivation to continue progressing.

make headway

Focuses on the progress made, often in challenging situations or against opposition.

accelerate progress

Emphasizes increasing the speed of advancement or development.

FAQs

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

You can use "drive forward" to describe making progress toward a goal, like "The team is working hard to "drive forward" the project" or "We need new strategies to "drive forward" innovation".

What are some alternatives to using "drive forward"?

Alternatives include "move forward", "push ahead", or "advance further", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "drive forward" or "move forward"?

"Drive forward" suggests a more proactive and energetic approach compared to "move forward", which is a more general term for advancement. Choose "drive forward" when you want to emphasize initiative and determination.

When is it appropriate to use "drive forward" in a business context?

It's appropriate when discussing strategies to "push forward" business goals, such as "We need to "drive forward" sales this quarter" or "The new marketing campaign will "drive forward" brand awareness".