drive the initiative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drive the initiative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing leadership or taking charge of a project or effort. Example: "As the project manager, my role is to drive the initiative and ensure that all team members are aligned with our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The catalyst was Barts Health NHS Trust managers who understood the potential benefits of a behaviour change programme and who had broad enough backs to drive the initiative forward when not all staff saw the sustainability-health relationship.

The Guardian

Can smallholders really have a voice when faced with the collective bargaining power of Bunge, Cargill, Coca-Cola, Diageo, DuPont, Unilever, and Walmart – just a few of the 28 partner companies that drive the initiative?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Kyle Frandle, Santa Cruz, Calif.: Check out The Campus at Western Washington State University, where the students drove the initiative that their campus subsist only on renewable energy sources.

The New York Times

The Treasury, which has relentlessly driven the initiative, argues that it secures better value for money, but few doubt that the main reason for the Treasury's enthusiasm is not having to borrow the money up-front.But the trouble with living on the never-never is that the bills eventually mount up.

The Economist

While Smith would become the most visible face of the era, he makes clear that it was the owners who drove the initiative, particularly McNall and Ryckman.

Wikipedia

I am excited to see how the Goma show will take our work to the next level" About Peace One Day Founded in 1999 by filmmaker Jeremy Gilley, the non-profit organisation Peace One Day drove the initiative that led to the unanimous adoption by the United Nations member states of an annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence on 21 September – Peace Day.

Unicef

The deal with BCH involves using Watson technology to drive the OPENPediatrics initiative, a program designed to help share pediatric medical information with hospitals and medical professionals around the world.

TechCrunch

On the other hand the development of a national infrastructure for rolling out infection control initiatives may drive the cost of subsequent initiatives down as spare capacity in existing personnel and resources could be utilised.

Plosone

The existing critical mass is insufficient to fuel current R&D endeavors, much less drive the numerous new initiatives.

Science Magazine

Now, when an idea that makes sense comes along, the corporate people take the initiative and drive the deal through.

The Economist

"They want to be able to seize the initiative and drive the response so they can influence the outcome".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always clarify what initiative you refer to, otherwise the reader can be lost. Add more context to your message and explain the overall goal.

Common error

Avoid using "drive the initiative" passively. Instead of saying "the initiative was driven by...", opt for an active voice: "the team drove the initiative..." This makes the sentence more direct and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drive the initiative" functions as a verb phrase where "drive" acts as a transitive verb taking "the initiative" as its direct object. It indicates the act of leading or propelling something forward. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science & Research

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drive the initiative" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase, per Ludwig AI, to indicate actively leading and pushing forward a project or effort. It's particularly suited for professional and formal contexts like News & Media, Science or Business communications. While alternatives like "lead the initiative" or "spearhead the initiative" exist, "drive the initiative" effectively conveys leadership and action. It's important to be mindful of passive voice constructions when using this phrase to maintain a direct and impactful tone. Consider the context and audience to ensure the appropriate level of formality and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lead the initiative

Replaces "drive" with a more direct synonym, emphasizing leadership.

spearhead the initiative

Suggests taking a prominent and active role in leading the initiative.

champion the initiative

Implies advocating for and supporting the initiative.

promote the initiative

Focuses on raising awareness and gaining support for the initiative.

advance the initiative

Highlights the progress and development aspect of the initiative.

push forward the initiative

Emphasizes the effort and determination in moving the initiative ahead.

propel the initiative

Suggests a strong force moving the initiative forward.

steer the initiative

Highlights the guidance and direction provided to the initiative.

energize the initiative

Focuses on injecting enthusiasm and activity into the initiative.

shepherd the initiative

Suggests a nurturing and protective role in guiding the initiative.

FAQs

What does "drive the initiative" mean?

The phrase "drive the initiative" means to take a leadership role in actively pushing forward and ensuring the success of a particular project or effort. It implies taking charge and guiding the initiative towards its goals.

How can I use "drive the initiative" in a sentence?

You can use "drive the initiative" to describe someone's role in leading a project. For example: "As project manager, she aimed to drive the initiative and ensure its timely completion."

What can I say instead of "drive the initiative"?

You can use alternatives like "lead the initiative", "spearhead the initiative", or "champion the initiative" depending on the context.

Is "drive the initiative" formal or informal?

"Drive the initiative" is suitable for professional and formal contexts. While understandable in informal settings, alternatives might be preferred depending on the audience and purpose.