drive us to

USAGE SUMMARY

"drive us to" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone (or something) is taking you to a certain destination, as in this example: "Please drive us to the airport so we can catch our flight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We can use them to drive us to future success, but also to appreciate what we do have.

BBC

"They use their vehicles to drive us to the hospital," one man said, after the disgruntled critic sat.

Vice

There were no taxi drivers offering to drive us to "the girls" or "the donkey show" (use your imagination).

Huffington Post

He'd drive us to Alabama games.

The New York Times - Sports

"They say you drive us to the Virgin".

The New Yorker

On Saturday afternoons, she would drive us to volunteer somewhere.

The New York Times

The young guys have to drive us to it".

The New York Times

It's in their economic interest to drive us to distraction.

The New Yorker

This might drive us to choose things based on their efficiency instead".

The Guardian

He stole his papi's car so that he could drive us to Las Tablas.

The New Yorker

After 10 minutes of fruitless jumping, he offered to drive us to the nearest garage.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "drive us to", ensure that the context clarifies whether you are referring to physical transportation or a metaphorical motivation towards a goal. The surrounding words should provide sufficient clarity to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "drive us to" solely for situations involving strong, negative coercion. While the phrase can imply being compelled, it's often used more broadly for any form of motivation or direction, not exclusively negative ones.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drive us to" functions as a verb phrase indicating either physical transportation or a metaphorical impetus. Ludwig shows examples ranging from literal conveyance to abstract motivation, aligning with its dual usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "drive us to" is a versatile verb phrase used to express either the physical act of transporting someone or the metaphorical act of motivating them towards a goal. Ludwig's examples show it appearing frequently across various reputable sources, including news, science, and formal business contexts. While generally neutral in register, the surrounding context often clarifies whether it denotes literal conveyance or abstract motivation. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, making it a reliable choice for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take us to

Focuses on the action of physically transporting someone.

transport us to

Emphasizes the means of conveyance used to reach a location.

lead us to

Suggests guidance, either physical or metaphorical, toward a destination.

steer us toward

Implies control and direction, similar to navigating a vehicle.

guide us toward

Focuses on direction and assistance in reaching a destination.

escort us to

Implies a formal or protective accompaniment to a place.

compel us to

Emphasizes the force or obligation behind a certain movement.

maneuver us toward

Suggests careful or strategic movement toward a goal or location.

motivate us toward

Focuses on the reason and intention of moving towards something.

inspire us to

Highlights the inspirational aspect of the movement

FAQs

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

The phrase "drive us to" can be used to describe physically transporting someone or metaphorically motivating them towards a goal. For example, "They "drive us to" the hospital" or "Challenges "drive us to" explore our surroundings".

What are some alternatives to "drive us to"?

Alternatives include "take us to" for physical transportation and "motivate us toward" or "inspire us to" for metaphorical motivation.

Is "drive us to" formal or informal?

"Drive us to" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, as evidenced by its presence in news articles, academic papers, and casual conversations. However, the formality of your language will depend on the other words you use in the sentence.

Can "drive us to" imply negative consequences?

Yes, "drive us to" can imply negative consequences if the context involves coercion or undesirable outcomes. For instance, "Fear can "drive us to" rash decisions". However, it isn't inherently negative and can describe positive motivation as well.