drive it forward

USAGE SUMMARY

'drive it forward' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to encourage someone to continue making progress on a task or project. For example, "We've come so far with this project, let's keep driving it forward!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

As this happens, employers will almost certainly value those people who, at the very least, recognise its significance and can help drive it forward.

The Guardian

We need someone who will bring this company together and drive it forward.

Independent

The expert saw no new structural element present to drive it forward in a self-sustaining manner.

The New York Times

In your career, you are the only person who can really drive it forward so be personally responsible for making your ambitions a reality.

The Guardian

I wanted someone who will work well with the team, bring it together and drive it forward," he said, adding that the existing senior managers at ITV all backed the appointment.

Independent

The second thing I'd say is all three had what is described as "policy entrepreneurs" – individual figures who played an advisory role to ministers, were able to develop an idea, popularise it in government and then drive it forward.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

We MEPs must now show that this issue is important to us and that we have to drive it forwards together.

EU Parlament

What is more, "Three Tales," for all its unemotive sleekness, emerges as a surprisingly fervent morality play, pointing a minatory finger not so much at technology itself as at the Faustian hubris that drives it forward.

The New Yorker

By the 1950s and into the '60s women lost their higher-paying blue-collar jobs and took lower-paying ones in the expanding retail and service sectors or returned home; in the 1970s the most ambitious among them rebelled — a period when women truly commandeered the train and drove it forward, often sacrificing dreams of children to get ahead.

The New York Times - Magazine

Is it the government or the private sector that drives it forward?

Forbes

But that story has not been explained convincingly, certainly not by a Labour Party that has, for most of this period, been entirely on board with the policy decisions that have driven it forward.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drive it forward" when you want to emphasize proactive and energetic progress towards a goal. For instance, "Let's analyze these results and drive it forward with a new marketing strategy."

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid using "drive it forward" in highly formal or academic writing where more sophisticated vocabulary might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "advance it" or "promote its development".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drive it forward" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating an action to progress or advance something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. Examples show it used in contexts where active improvement or advancement is intended.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Science

13%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "drive it forward" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that conveys energetic and proactive progress. According to Ludwig, it's appropriate for a range of contexts, from news and media to business communications. While versatile, consider more formal alternatives in academic settings. Remember to focus on proactive and energetic progress. The examples show it used in contexts where active improvement or advancement is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advance it

Replaces "drive" with a more general term for moving something ahead.

push it ahead

Similar to "drive", but with a slightly different connotation of effort.

propel it onward

Uses a more forceful verb to emphasize the forward movement.

move it along

Implies a smoother, less forceful progression.

accelerate its progress

Focuses on increasing the speed of advancement.

further its development

Highlights the aspect of growth and improvement.

promote its advancement

Emphasizes actively supporting and encouraging forward movement.

boost its momentum

Focuses on increasing the energy and force behind the forward motion.

spearhead its growth

Suggests leading and initiating the forward progress.

foster its evolution

Emphasizes nurturing and guiding the gradual forward change.

FAQs

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

You can use "drive it forward" to suggest energetic progress. For example, "The team is working hard to "drive it forward" with the new initiative".

What are some alternatives to "drive it forward"?

Alternatives include "advance it", "push it ahead", or "move it along", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "drive it forward" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, in very formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "promote its advancement" or "further its development" to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

What does "drive it forward" mean?

"Drive it forward" means to energetically make progress on a task or project, indicating proactive and decisive action to achieve a goal.