drive toward

USAGE SUMMARY

"drive toward" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe anything that is moving toward a particular destination, either physically or metaphorically. For example, "We are driving toward success with this new business venture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Seagate's Hard Drive Toward Prosperity.

Forbes

See Also: Seagate's Hard Drive Toward Prosperity.

Forbes

It's business that's driving this progress, not some idealistic drive toward gender equality.

BBC

Moussa: In this drive toward freedom, these revolutions towards democracy, there are no U-turns.

The New York Times

Most detective stories drive toward reassurance.

The New Yorker

Iran and its drive toward nukes?

The New York Times

Mickelson sent his drive toward the beach on the left.

The New York Times - Sports

It sparked the drive toward a World Series championship.

The New York Times - Sports

Israel has rejected the French drive toward a peace initiative.

The Guardian

It is difficult to assess this drive toward improvement.

The New York Times

From Syracuse, drive toward Floridia on the S.S. 124.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drive toward" when you want to emphasize directed effort and momentum in achieving a goal or reaching a destination. For instance, a company's "drive toward" innovation suggests a proactive and energetic pursuit.

Common error

Avoid using "drive toward" when describing a stationary object or abstract concept without any sense of movement or progress. It's more appropriate for dynamic situations where forward momentum is implied.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drive toward" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adjective modifying a noun. It indicates direction or movement toward a specific goal or destination, either literally or figuratively. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts, from physical movement to abstract objectives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drive toward" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe movement or progress toward a specific objective. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted. Predominantly found in news and media, scientific publications, and encyclopedias, it maintains a neutral formality suitable for diverse audiences. Use "drive toward" to emphasize direction and momentum. Alternatives include phrases like "move towards" or "progress towards", offering similar but nuanced meanings. Avoid using it in static contexts where no movement or progress is implied, and always ensure the surrounding sentence structure supports the phrase's intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

move towards

Emphasizes physical or metaphorical movement in a specific direction.

progress towards

Focuses on the advancement or development in the direction of a goal.

head towards

Suggests a direct and intentional movement in a particular direction.

work towards

Highlights the effort and labor involved in achieving a specific outcome.

strive for

Indicates a strong effort and determination to achieve something.

aim for

Focuses on setting a target or goal to be achieved.

aspire to

Implies a higher level of ambition and desire.

push for

Emphasizes the advocacy and active promotion of a cause or objective.

gravitate to

Suggests a natural inclination or attraction towards something.

lean towards

Indicates a preference or tendency in a certain direction.

FAQs

How to use "drive toward" in a sentence?

You can use "drive toward" to describe movement or progress towards a specific goal. For example: "The company's "drive toward" sustainability is evident in their new initiatives."

What can I say instead of "drive toward"?

You can use alternatives like "move towards", "progress towards", or "head towards" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "drive toward" or "driving towards"?

"Drive toward" is typically used as a noun phrase describing an effort or direction, while "driving towards" is the present participle form of the verb. Both are grammatically correct, but they serve different functions. For example, “The team's "drive toward" the championship was clear." or “The car was "driving towards" the city center."

What's the difference between "drive toward" and "pursuit of"?

"Drive toward" implies a sense of directed movement and energy, while "pursuit of" suggests a more prolonged and determined effort. "Drive toward" focuses on the direction and momentum, whereas "pursuit of" emphasizes the act of seeking or striving.