drivers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drivers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, such as referring to individuals who operate vehicles or to software components that allow the operating system to communicate with hardware devices. Example: "The new drivers for the printer improved its performance significantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Business

Tech

Money

Opinion

Sport

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The initiative will enable their publisher, the CN Group, to piggyback on national morning paper distribution, so most of the company's 29 van drivers are likely to be made redundant.

The Guardian

For drivers aged over 25, the impact of an NCD is seen mainly in the early years.

The Guardian - Money

Besides, the process of holding drivers to account is easy because you have a means of identifying the miscreant and catching up with them at a later date.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The unfortunate truth, as CTC points out, is that congestion is only going to get worse and that we all – drivers and cyclists – have to meet in the middle and be considerate.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Parishioner Gemma Cort, 44, said local children were helping drivers by pushing cars up the steep A61 in Sheffield when they spotted the coach and a decision was taken to open the church.

The Guardian - Business

Drivers can use Siri to plot routes and get directions via voice.

The Guardian - Tech

Using Siri, drivers will also be able to access messages and have them read aloud, reply via voice, access their contacts on the iPhone and make calls, as well as a variety of other voice commands including music controls.

The Guardian - Tech

"Women are the most powerful drivers of economic growth," she argued in an interview with the Korea Times.

The Guardian

Yet ministers are being urged on by Boris Johnson, who is irritated by flea-bite militancy in London's transport system – the impact of which diminishes with every misuse of Tube drivers' power.

The Guardian

In 2000, Eleanor Maguire at University College London (UCL) and her colleagues discovered that part of a brain region called the hippocampus gets bigger in London taxi drivers with years of navigating the city.

The Guardian

"A man has escaped conviction and kept his drivers' licence after driving a motorised esky to McDonald's while drunk on pineapple vodkas and low-carb beers".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to software components, be specific and use the term "device drivers" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "drivers" when you mean something more specific like "delivery personnel" or "taxi operators". Clarity enhances your message.

Linguistic Context

The word "drivers" primarily functions as a plural noun. It denotes individuals who operate vehicles or, metaphorically, entities that propel or influence events. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is commonly used and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Lifestyle

10%

Business

6%

Less common in

Tech

6%

Opinion

5%

Money

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drivers" functions primarily as a plural noun referring to vehicle operators or influential factors. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used, especially in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, context dictates specific meaning. For clarity, use "device drivers" when referring to software and be specific instead of overgeneralizing its meaning. Alternative phrases include "vehicle operators" or "driving forces" based on context. Understanding these nuances will help ensure accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vehicle operators

Focuses specifically on those who operate vehicles, similar to one common meaning of "drivers".

motorists

Specifically refers to those who drive automobiles.

driving forces

A more dynamic way to describe the things that impel actions.

chauffeurs

Implies professional drivers, often for luxury vehicles.

software drivers

Refers to software that allows a computer to interact with hardware, a specific technical use of the term.

motivating forces

Shifts the meaning from vehicle operators to the underlying reasons or influences behind actions.

machine operators

Broadens the scope to include operators of various types of machinery, not just vehicles.

haulers

Refers to those involved in transporting goods, typically by truck.

key factors

Generalizes the concept to any influential element.

transport personnel

Encompasses all staff involved in transportation, offering a more formal and inclusive alternative.

FAQs

How to use "drivers" in a sentence?

You can use "drivers" to refer to people who operate vehicles, as in "The taxi "drivers" went on strike". It can also refer to factors that cause something, as in "Economic growth "drivers" need to be identified".

What can I say instead of "drivers" when talking about vehicle operators?

You can use alternatives like "vehicle operators", "motorists", or "chauffeurs" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "drivers" and "driving forces"?

"Drivers" can refer to people who operate vehicles or to factors that cause something. "Driving forces" typically refers to the underlying causes or reasons for something happening.

Which is correct, "software drivers" or "software driver"?

While "software driver" might be used in some contexts to refer to a single driver, "software drivers" is generally used when discussing the category of software, and the specific term is "device driver".