drive out

USAGE SUMMARY

"drive out" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of forcing someone or something to leave an area, typically by using force. Example sentence: The police drove out the protestors from the town square.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Hate cannot drive out hate.

Independent

But it failed to drive out competitors.

The New York Times

We must drive out fear.

The Guardian

Nothing will drive out titles now.

The New York Times - Arts

One version doesn't drive out another.

The Guardian - Books

"We want to drive out corrupt politicians.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Was it driven out by rabid nationalists?

The New Yorker

Driven out, Tiridates took refuge at Rome.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They drove out along Reclamation Road, past St.

The New Yorker

The former inevitably drives out the latter.

The Washington Post

Here's why fear drives out compassion.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the specific context to ensure the connotation of "drive out" aligns with your intended meaning. Alternatives like "expel" or "oust" may be more appropriate in certain situations.

Common error

While "drive out" is generally acceptable, it can sound less formal than alternatives like "eliminate" or "eradicate" in academic or business writing. Choose vocabulary that matches the formality of the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "drive out" primarily functions as a transitive verb, requiring an object (person, thing, or abstract concept) that is being forced to leave or disappear. Ludwig provides examples of both literal and figurative usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drive out" is a versatile phrasal verb used to express forceful removal or displacement, suitable for both literal and figurative contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples across various sources. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the specific context and choose vocabulary that matches the desired level of formality. Related phrases such as "expel", "oust", and "force out" offer nuanced alternatives for expressing similar ideas. To use "drive out" effectively, consider its connotations of active expulsion and ensure it aligns with the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

force out

Emphasizes the use of coercion or pressure in the removal.

expel

Indicates a more forceful or official removal.

oust

Suggests removal from a position of power or authority.

banish

Implies a more permanent and often geographically distant removal.

root out

Suggests a thorough and complete removal, often of something deeply embedded.

evict

Specifically refers to the legal removal of someone from a property.

dislodge

Suggests removing something from a fixed position.

weed out

Refers to selectively removing undesirable elements from a group.

get rid of

A more general and informal way to say "remove".

throw out

Can mean to discard physically or reject an idea.

FAQs

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

You can use "drive out" to describe forcing someone or something to leave, as in "The new policies aimed to drive out corruption" or "The shepherd drove the sheep out to pasture".

What's a more formal alternative to "drive out"?

Depending on the context, more formal alternatives to "drive out" include "expel", "oust", or "eliminate".

Is there a difference between "drive out" and "force out"?

While similar, "drive out" often implies a more active and sustained effort, while "force out" suggests a single, decisive action that leads to removal.

When is it appropriate to use "drive out" figuratively?

Figuratively, "drive out" can describe eliminating something abstract, like "drive out fear" or "drive out negative thoughts". In this context, synonyms like "banish" or "dispel" can also be suitable.