driver

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "driver" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, such as referring to a person who drives a vehicle or a software component that controls hardware. Example: "The driver for the printer needs to be updated to ensure compatibility with the new operating system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The driver showed immense courage under very difficult circumstances".

The Guardian

A third driver was racism in the housing market: many new migrants in the 1950s to 1970s faced appalling discrimination with "No blacks, no Irish, no dogs" signs common in the windows of lodging houses.

The Guardian

Ferreira claimed she was later called by the driver to say only that there had been "a problem".

The Guardian

It is testament to the measures implemented since that Senna, who was 34, remains the last driver to die on a Formula One weekend.

The Guardian - Sport

"Annulé, annulé!" the driver barked unhelpfully when I called.

The Guardian - Travel

One driver was charged in San Francisco with assaulting a customer in June.

The Guardian - Tech

At the moment it "meets the government's objective that the mechanism will not be a driver of abatement towards the 2020 target", AIG said.

The Guardian

"I consider myself to be a safe driver and now have around five years claim-free," she says.

The Guardian - Money

You can move your NCD from one car to another as long as it is for the same driver.

The Guardian - Money

If, however, a named driver had an accident, this could have an impact on the NCD of the main driver.

The Guardian - Money

She joined the company 25 years ago as a package car driver and worked her way up to her current position.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "driver" to refer to a software component, ensure it's clear from the context whether you mean a device driver, a database driver, or another type of driver. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "driver" as a verb, as it is primarily a noun. Instead of saying "He drivers the car well", use "He drives the car well".

Linguistic Context

The word "driver" primarily functions as a noun, denoting either a person who operates a vehicle or a software component facilitating hardware interaction. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical function aligns with standard English usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Sport

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "driver" is a versatile noun with multiple meanings, most commonly referring to someone who operates a vehicle or a software component. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically sound and very frequently used. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various contexts, from news reports to technical documentation. Common related phrases include "operator" and "chauffeur". When writing, remember to avoid using "driver" as a verb and be specific about the type of driver you're referring to, especially in technical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

device driver

Specifically refers to software that allows a computer to interact with hardware.

operator

Focuses on the action of operating machinery or equipment, rather than specifically driving a vehicle.

chauffeur

Implies a professional driver, often for a luxury vehicle or personal service.

motorist

Specifically refers to someone who drives a car.

controller

Broader term referring to someone or something that manages or directs a process or system.

motivating force

Refers to the factor that causes or influences something.

pilot

Refers to the operator of an aircraft.

causal factor

Similar to 'motivating force' but implies a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

engineer

Implies technical expertise in operating or maintaining a machine or system.

key influence

Highlights the importance of the influencing factor.

FAQs

How can I use "driver" in a sentence?

You can use "driver" to refer to a person who operates a vehicle, as in "The taxi "driver" was courteous", or to a software component, as in "Install the printer "driver"".

What's the difference between "driver" and "operator"?

"Driver" typically refers to someone who operates a vehicle, while "operator" is a broader term that can refer to someone who operates any type of machinery or equipment.

When should I use "device driver" instead of just "driver"?

Use "device driver" specifically when referring to the software that enables communication between a computer and a hardware device. Using "driver" alone in this context might be ambiguous.

What are some common contexts where the word "driver" is used?

The word "driver" is commonly used in the context of transportation (e.g. "bus "driver""), computing (e.g. "software "driver""), and economics (e.g. "economic "driver"").