he drove off

USAGE SUMMARY

"he drove off" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action in the past tense, for example: After the meeting, he drove off in his car.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

He drove off.

The New York Times

The light changed and he drove off.

The New York Times

But then his cellphone rang, and he drove off.

The New York Times

The girls thanked him prettily and he drove off.

The New Yorker

Then he drove off into the anarchy of Baghdad's streets.

The New York Times

Then he drove off toward the mountains of Manhattan.

The New York Times

"Come back at rush hour," he quipped, breaking into a smile as he drove off.

The New York Times

Then he drove off with a wave, leaving Loch alone by the side of the road.

The New Yorker

Before he drove off, he said to her, "I love you, Beezer".

The New Yorker

When he left, he drove off in a car that wasn't his.

Independent

In the last rushed moments, I handed the cherished sketch to him before he drove off.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he drove off" to clearly and concisely describe someone leaving in a vehicle. It's suitable for most narrative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "he drive off" (present tense) when referring to a past event. Ensure you use the correct past tense form, "he drove off."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he drove off" functions as a verb phrase indicating a completed action in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It describes the act of someone departing in a vehicle, typically a car.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he drove off" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe someone departing in a vehicle. Ludwig AI confirms this. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, its function is narrative, and its register is generally neutral. While alternatives such as "he drove away" or "he left in his car" exist, "he drove off" is a clear and concise way to convey the action of leaving in a vehicle.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he drove away from the scene

Specifies that the departure is from a particular location.

he left in his vehicle

Emphasizes the act of leaving using a vehicle.

he drove away quickly

Adds the adverb "quickly" to emphasize the haste of the departure.

he departed by car

Replaces the more casual "drove off" with a formal departure.

he took off in the car

Uses the phrasal verb "took off" to indicate a quick or sudden departure.

he motored away

Uses a more descriptive verb ("motored") to indicate movement by car.

he sped away

Highlights the speed of departure, suggesting urgency.

he rolled away in the vehicle

Uses "rolled away" emphasizing the motion of the vehicle.

he exited by automobile

A more formal and less common way of saying someone left in a car.

he steered off

Focuses on the steering action as the means of departure.

FAQs

How to use "he drove off" in a sentence?

You can use "he drove off" to describe someone leaving a place in a vehicle. For instance, "After the argument, "he drove off" in anger."

What can I say instead of "he drove off"?

You can use alternatives like "he drove away", "he left in his car", or "he departed by car" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "he drove off" or "he drive off"?

"He drove off" is the correct past tense form. "He drive off" is grammatically incorrect in most contexts.

What's the difference between "he drove off" and "he drove away"?

While both phrases are similar, ""he drove off"" often implies a slightly more abrupt or decisive departure compared to "he drove away".