drive off

USAGE SUMMARY

"drive off" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the act of a person leaving a location in a vehicle, as in: "We watched him drive off in his convertible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Would they drive off?

The New York Times

He was allowed to drive off.

The Guardian

As dawn breaks, they drive off.

The New York Times

Don't drive off, they seem to say.

The New York Times - Arts

Abdullah watched him drive off around 10pm.

The Guardian

Nicky and I watched them drive off.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Shortly after, Cahill deflected a Stiliyan Petrov drive off-target.

The Guardian - Sport

Do you plan to drive off-road a lot?

Forbes

We could drive off to the West Coast.

The New Yorker

One square-drive off Meaker was astonishing.

The Guardian - Sport

Since then, the rugged all-wheel-drive off-road vehicle has come a long way.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drive off" to clearly indicate the act of departing from a location in a vehicle. It's suitable for both narrative and descriptive writing.

Common error

Avoid using "drive off" when you intend to describe reckless driving (use "reckless driving"), or driving towards something ("drive toward"). "Drive off" specifically indicates departure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drive off" functions primarily as a phrasal verb. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It describes the action of departing or causing someone to depart in a vehicle.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

35%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drive off" is a phrasal verb that effectively conveys the action of leaving a location in a vehicle. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and widely used in written English. It finds its most frequent application in News & Media and Wiki contexts. To enhance your writing, remember that "drive off" signifies a departure, and should not be confused with terms related to reckless driving or direction of travel. Consider using synonyms like "depart by car", if a slightly more formal tone is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depart by car

This alternative uses a more formal synonym for 'drive' and specifies the mode of transport.

leave in a vehicle

This phrase broadens the type of vehicle used for departure.

set off in a car

This emphasizes the beginning of a journey, specifying the means of transport.

motor away

This alternative uses a more concise and informal term for leaving by car.

take off in a vehicle

Similar to 'leave in a vehicle', but implies a quicker departure.

speed away

This suggests a quick or hasty departure.

pull away

This focuses on the physical act of moving a vehicle from a stationary position.

head off

This is a more general term for starting a journey, not necessarily by car.

make off

Implies a secretive or hurried escape, broader than just driving.

repel

Focuses on the act of forcing something/someone to move back or away.

FAQs

How is "drive off" used in a sentence?

"Drive off" is used to describe the action of leaving a place by driving a vehicle. For example, "The thief managed to drive off before the police arrived."

What is a synonym for "drive off"?

Synonyms for "drive off" include "depart by car", "leave in a vehicle", or "motor away", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "drove off"?

Yes, "drove off" is the past tense of "drive off" and is grammatically correct. For example, "He drove off into the night."

What's the difference between "drive off" and "drive away"?

"Drive off" and "drive away" are often used interchangeably, but "drive off" can sometimes imply a more sudden or abrupt departure than "drive away". Both indicate leaving a place in a vehicle.