drove

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drove" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as the past tense of the verb "drive," typically referring to the act of operating a vehicle or guiding someone or something in a particular direction. Example: "Yesterday, I drove to the beach with my friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was a huge win today but you know what, I've drove myself mad ever since I've been here looking at the fixtures of other teams and the league table.

The Guardian - Sport

Most of the team hunkered down at the legendary Brown Bull, but Noble got into his Triumph Herald and drove home to Sale, where his wife was hosting a party.

The Guardian - Sport

And don't be tempted to follow a couple of "civilians", just for a laugh: when Kanye West did that to a student from Coventry, the influx of fan and press attention nearly drove the poor sod crazy.

The Guardian - Opinion

The dread behind his secret revelation – so feared, it drove him to kill – was that its discovery would make him hated, marked, a social pariah.

The Guardian

As they drove off, the perfect manicured lawn of the Marylands guesthouse next door caught alight almost instantaneously, as if the fire itself was liquid, spilling across its surface.

The Guardian

They failed to see the engine that drove her, the single-minded passionate will to power.

The Guardian

From the New Road end he certainly turned the ball sharply at times, managed to take the wickets of Rutherford – who, out of character with the tone of this particular innings, charged, missed and was stumped – and Mark Craig, who will be his Kiwi spinning counterpart at Lord's and drove to short extra cover where Ross Whitely took a sharp catch well.

The Guardian - Sport

The first time Kloeden drove at the campers he missed Tony Cotchilli's blanket by around a metre.

The Guardian

I lived with someone, but I got antsy, so I got in a van and drove.

The Guardian

At around 2.15pm on Saturday 26 April 2014 the victim was cycling along St Mary's Road when a blue estate car drove intentionally into the back of him, slamming him to the ground.

The Guardian

"The police had coils of barbed wire on their jeeps and drove them so near the protesters that the front row got cut.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "drove", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to operating a vehicle, influencing someone's actions, or causing a specific outcome. The surrounding words should provide sufficient clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "drove" when a different verb more precisely captures the intended meaning. For instance, if you mean 'motivated', don't use "drove" unless the context clearly implies a forceful influence. Overusing "drove" can lead to ambiguity or weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "drove" is as the past tense of the verb "drive". It indicates a completed action of operating a vehicle, influencing behavior, or propelling something forward. Ludwig provides examples showing its usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

20%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drove" is the past tense of "drive" and is commonly used to describe operating a vehicle, influencing someone's actions, or causing a specific outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, especially in news and media. While generally neutral in register, its precise meaning is context-dependent, as reinforced by Ludwig's examples. Remember to choose verbs that most accurately reflect your intended meaning to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

operated

Focuses on the mechanical aspect of controlling a vehicle, shifting away from the implication of a journey.

maneuvered

Implies skillful or strategic movement, particularly in challenging situations.

steered

Highlights the directional control of a vehicle, emphasizing guidance over the entire act of driving.

guided

Focuses on direction and oversight, rather than direct operation or propulsion.

propelled

Emphasizes the force or mechanism causing forward movement, suitable when the focus is on the energy behind the motion.

motivated

Shifts the meaning to internal impetus, indicating the reason behind an action rather than physical movement.

prompted

Highlights the action of initiating or urging someone to do something, changing the focus from physical action to influence.

caused

Indicates a direct result or effect, losing the sense of direction or journey inherent in "drove".

pressured

Implies coercion or strong influence, moving away from voluntary action.

forced

Suggests compulsion, often against someone's will, altering the connotation significantly.

FAQs

How can I use "drove" in a sentence?

"Drove" is the past tense of "drive". You can use it to describe the act of operating a vehicle (e.g., "I drove to work"), influencing someone's actions (e.g., "His ambition drove him forward"), or causing an outcome (e.g., "The rain drove them inside").

What are some alternatives to using "drove" when referring to operating a vehicle?

If you want to avoid using "drove" when talking about operating a vehicle, consider alternatives such as "operated", "steered", or "navigated" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What can I say instead of "drove" when describing motivation?

When describing motivation, instead of "drove", you could use "motivated", "prompted", or "inspired", each suggesting a different kind of influence.

Is there a difference between "drove" and "caused"?

While both "drove" and "caused" can indicate a result, "drove" often implies a more direct or forceful influence. "Caused" is a broader term that simply indicates a relationship between an action and its outcome.