drive to achieve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drive to achieve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong motivation or determination to reach a goal or accomplish something. Example: "Her drive to achieve excellence in her work has earned her several promotions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The drive to achieve impact statistics means no one is improving the weakest areas.

The Guardian - Opinion

Our drive to achieve bigger and bigger living spaces can be just as wasteful (and selfish).

The New York Times

Such insecurity has surely fueled Rodriguez's drive to achieve, while also influencing his many bizarre decisions.

The New York Times - Sports

While the terrorist threat has distracted America's attention, China's drive to achieve regional power status has not slackened.

The New York Times

Mickelson has shown his exceptional array of shots, recovering from his dreadful drive to achieve a birdie at the second.

The Guardian - Sport

Possibly within this lies some of the reason for his immense output and drive to achieve in cinema and theatre what he had failed to do in life.

The Guardian - Film

Few elective activities will ever rise to a status higher than work in our minds, and therefore cannot be relied upon to counterbalance our neurotic drive to achieve.

The New York Times - Magazine

"When Powell died, 30 years later, I remember feeling quite sad," Dabydeen says mischievously. "Were it not for him, I wouldn't have had the drive to achieve academically.

The Guardian

"It's such a fast-paced and challenging environment," explains Sims, "there has to be a real drive to achieve in everything you do".

The Guardian

A DfE spokesperson said: "As part of our drive to achieve educational excellence everywhere, we want all schools to be able to recruit high-quality teachers.

The Guardian

It was unclear yesterday whether the United States push for speed, driven in part, Mr. Negroponte said, by the need to begin emptying full oil storage tanks, will help or hurt in its drive to achieve consensus.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drive to achieve" when you want to emphasize the internal motivation and determination behind pursuing a goal. It conveys a sense of proactive effort and ambition.

Common error

Avoid using "drive to achieve" in overly simple contexts where terms like "ambition", "motivation", or "determination" would be more direct and natural. Overuse can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drive to achieve" functions as a compound noun phrase that describes the underlying motivation or impetus behind pursuing a specific goal. It emphasizes the proactive effort and determination involved in accomplishing something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drive to achieve" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies a strong internal motivation to accomplish goals. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase appears across diverse contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and formal business publications. While alternatives like "ambition to succeed" or "determination to accomplish" exist, "drive to achieve" effectively conveys a sense of proactive effort and dedication. Ensure that you avoid overuse in simpler contexts, which could make your writing appear verbose. The phrase's consistent application and clear meaning render it a valuable addition to a writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determination to accomplish

Highlights the firmness and resolve required to achieve a goal.

ambition to succeed

Focuses on the aspirational aspect, emphasizing the desire for success.

motivation to attain

Emphasizes the internal impetus and desire to reach a specific outcome.

endeavor to accomplish

Highlights the effort and dedicated work involved in reaching a goal.

aspiration to realize

Focuses on the ambition to bring something into reality.

resolve to gain

Emphasizes the firmness and unwavering commitment to obtain or achieve something.

zeal to fulfill

Implies a passionate and energetic commitment to achieving something.

push to attain

Suggests a forceful and energetic effort towards achieving a desired outcome.

impetus to fulfill

Highlights the driving force and energy behind the pursuit of goals.

eagerness to secure

Focuses on the enthusiastic desire and anticipation of obtaining something.

FAQs

How can I use "drive to achieve" in a sentence?

You can use "drive to achieve" to describe someone's strong motivation or determination to accomplish a goal. For example: "Her drive to achieve excellence in her work has earned her several promotions."

What are some alternatives to "drive to achieve"?

Some alternatives to "drive to achieve" include "ambition to succeed", "determination to accomplish", or "motivation to attain", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "drive to achieve" formal or informal?

"Drive to achieve" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While it is not overly technical, it conveys a sense of purpose and determination that fits well in professional, academic, and general communication.

What's the difference between "drive to achieve" and "desire to achieve"?

"Drive to achieve" implies a stronger, more proactive and energetic pursuit of a goal compared to "desire to achieve". While desire indicates a wish or longing, drive suggests active effort and determination.