drive to excel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drive to excel" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's means of motivation to succeed or improve their performance. For example, "His drive to excel pushed him to take on challenging projects and get more involved in his work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

X Factor #1: A drive to excel.

Harvard Business Review

But Curry's drive to excel has often been questioned and he has had trouble with conditioning.

The New York Times - Sports

The genetic source of his newfound chatty nature, as well as his drive to excel, is not hard to find.

The New York Times - Sports

I drifted from lecture to lecture, and had little drive to excel while I had no clear prospects.

Independent

"John's sense of morality, his drive to excel — that comes from somewhere out there in Wisconsin," Mr. Prescott said.

The New York Times

Japan's second great drive to excel began after the devastation of World War II, and once again book learning was at its center.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

He is driven to excel.

The New York Times - Sports

He looked like a man driven to excel.

The New York Times - Sports

And why he is so driven to excel.

The New York Times

America has a multitude of sports stars who were driven to excel by overzealous parents.

The New York Times

Driven to excel, she studied sociology at Catholic University in Washington before taking her law degree at the Jesuit-run Catholic University in Managua.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drive to excel" when you want to emphasize a person's internal motivation and ambition to not only succeed, but to surpass ordinary performance. For example, "Her drive to excel made her a top performer."

Common error

While "drive to excel" is widely understood, overuse in highly formal or academic writing can make your writing sound less sophisticated. Consider using synonyms such as "pursuit of excellence" or "commitment to mastery" to maintain a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drive to excel" functions as a noun phrase that often serves as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a quality or attribute. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and is used to define the inner motive for success.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

23%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

7%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "drive to excel" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a strong internal motivation for outstanding achievement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical soundness and proper usage. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to professional contexts and can be replaced with alternatives like "desire for excellence" or "passion to succeed" for stylistic variation. Remember to use it to emphasize inner drive rather than simply describing competence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desire for excellence

Replaces "drive" with "desire" and rephrases "to excel" as "for excellence".

passion to succeed

Substitutes "drive to excel" with "passion to succeed", focusing on the outcome of success.

ambition to achieve

Replaces "drive" with "ambition" and "excel" with "achieve", emphasizing the aspirational aspect.

determination to thrive

Changes "drive to excel" to "determination to thrive", highlighting resilience and growth.

motivation to perform

Replaces "drive" with "motivation" and "excel" with "perform", focusing on actions and results.

eagerness to shine

Substitutes "drive to excel" with "eagerness to shine", which is more figurative and emphasizes standing out.

zeal for mastery

Replaces "drive" with "zeal" and "excel" with "mastery", suggesting intense enthusiasm for expertise.

commitment to progress

Changes "drive to excel" to "commitment to progress", highlighting dedication to continuous improvement.

striving for distinction

Replaces "drive to excel" with "striving for distinction", emphasizing uniqueness and standing out from the crowd.

inner impetus for success

Rephrases "drive to excel" using more formal language to convey a similar meaning.

FAQs

What does "drive to excel" mean?

The phrase "drive to excel" describes a strong internal motivation or ambition to perform exceptionally well and surpass ordinary standards. It implies a dedication to continuous improvement and achieving superior results.

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

You can use "drive to excel" to describe someone's strong motivation. For example, "His "desire for excellence" propelled him to the top of his class."

What are some alternative phrases for "drive to excel"?

Alternatives include "passion to succeed", "ambition to achieve", or "determination to thrive" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "drive to excel" or "driven to excel"?

"Drive to excel" (noun phrase) refers to the motivation itself, while "driven to excel" (adjective phrase) describes someone who possesses that motivation. For example, "His drive to excel was evident" versus "He was driven to excel by his parents."