drive to compete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drive to compete" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong motivation or desire to engage in competition, often in a sports or business context. Example: "Her drive to compete has always pushed her to excel in every tournament she enters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

What I got from him was this drive to compete.

The New York Times

For Man Ray, this was aggravated by the masculine drive to compete.

Independent

That drive to compete with the so-called mainstream media is what's behind his strategy.

The New York Times

Someone who remained permanently elated about her first promotion, for example, might find it hard to muster the drive to compete for her next one.

The New York Times

Ben's drive to compete for her attention with Steve John Choo), the laconic poster boy for high school cool, is what steps up the level of criminal activity.

The New York Times

There is no debate about Jeter's drive to compete and play, or that he expects to return to the level of play to which he is accustomed, and Girardi said he felt the same way.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

That drive to compete--and win--is what propelled him to the top of the sport in the first place.

Forbes

"I was driven to compete, driven to want to win, and the consequences never occurred to me," Heinrichs said.

The New York Times - Sports

Youthful journalists no longer deferred to military authority, and some were driven to compete with their young contemporaries in the newly minted, increasingly blue-collar junior officer corps.

The New York Times - Books

The timber gates, which measure approximately 16ft by 16ft and date from 1923, marked the entrance through which teams were driven to compete.

The Guardian - Sport

"Long distance running was low on my list of things I wanted to do". He got the idea to compete as a team with Johnny when he and his wife, Becki, realized their son had the passion and commitment of an athlete who was driven to compete.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's inherent quality, pair "drive to compete" with verbs like "demonstrate", "possess", or "exhibit". For example, "She demonstrates a strong drive to compete in all aspects of her life."

Common error

Avoid solely attributing the "drive to compete" to external pressures or incentives. Highlight the intrinsic motivation alongside any external motivators for a more nuanced portrayal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drive to compete" functions as a noun phrase that often serves as the subject or object of a sentence. It represents a strong internal motivation or impetus. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "drive to compete" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that expresses a strong internal motivation to engage in competition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in news, business, and sports reporting. Its usage conveys a sense of ambition, determination, and a will to outperform others. When using this phrase, it's best to highlight the intrinsic motivation and pair it with verbs like "demonstrate" or "possess".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

competitive spirit

Emphasizes the inherent attitude of wanting to outperform others.

urge to compete

Focuses on the internal impulse or strong desire to participate in competitions.

motivation to compete

Highlights the underlying reasons or incentives for engaging in competition.

desire for competition

Underscores the longing or craving for competitive scenarios.

ambition to win

Shifts the focus to the goal of winning as the primary driver.

competitive edge

Concentrates on the advantage one seeks to gain over others in a competitive situation.

zeal for competition

Highlights the enthusiasm and passion associated with competing.

competitive nature

Focuses on an individual's inherent tendency or disposition towards competition.

fighting spirit

Emphasizes resilience and determination in the face of competition.

will to win

Highlights the determination and resolve to achieve victory.

FAQs

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

You can use "drive to compete" to describe someone's strong motivation to engage in competitive activities. For example: "His drive to compete pushed him to excel in sports."

What are some alternatives to "drive to compete"?

You can use alternatives such as "competitive spirit", "urge to compete", or "motivation to compete" depending on the specific context.

Is "drive to compete" grammatically correct?

Yes, "drive to compete" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe a strong desire or motivation to engage in competition.

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

"Desire to compete" and "drive to compete" are similar, but "drive" suggests a stronger, more compelling force or motivation than simply a "desire".